Chickens making a right racket from 6.30am onwards - help!

[Doodle2U]

Neighbours getting crabby and I don't blame them.

Three chickens and all start bickering at about 6.30am - it's very loud. The argument seems to be about who goes in the nesting box but it could just be 'morning chatter'. Lasts about 40 minutes.

Anyone got any ideas how to shut the buggers up?

PS - after the first din, they're really quiet for the rest of the day.

do you leave the door open or shut? I had this when it started getting lighter, now I leave the door open and fill a pet ball with lettuce or something to keep them occupied till a mpre reasonable hour.

Hey up sockmonster!

I leave the door open. They have a run (see pics) but what they really wanna do is get out to the main garden, which I can't give them access to overnight because it's not totally fox proof.

I've left treats out - didn't work.

I got up and tried to 'shush' them - made them worse!

There are three of them. One is very much in charge. Do you think it might be worth trying to seperate her from the other for a few mornings? I could put her in a cat carrier with some water & straw bedding and put her in the garage. I'm not sure of this wouldn't be cruel though?

I mean take her out of the coop at bedtime and make her sleep in cat carrier overnight - let her out at 8am which is a more reasonable time noise-wise?

Try leaving the door shut, it may stay darker in the coop for longer and they may wake up later.

tell them they are lucky you dont have a cockrel

@cazbody.

Been keeping the door shut and covered whole Cube with thick tarpaulin. Worked a treat, up until this morning. Feckin' hens.

Two new Silkies sleeping in cat-carrier underneath the Cube may have cheep-cheeped and got the established three going. Tonight, Silkies sleeping in the garage. Will introduce to the coop in a week or two.