They know their own names. Not only can chickens recognise when their name is called if it is used consistently enough, they can also recognise the names of other chickens around them.
Chickens can recognise up to 100 faces
These faces included those of humans! Chickens even remember positive or negative experiences with the faces they recognise and pass that information on to members of their flocks.
Chickens are very vocal by nature and will most definitely respond if you were to engage them in conversation. Chooks are just like feathery little toddlers who just discovered the wonder of words. As sociable friendly creatures, chickens enjoy vocal interactions with their backyard keepers.
Chickens can bond with humans just like any other pet, especially if you're actively showing them how much you care!
Happy Chicken Sounds
Chickens tend to make a purring or trilling sound when they are content. They will also make soft sounds as they go about their daily activities. A sick or depressed chicken will make no noise. Alternatively, a chicken in distress will scream and make significant noise.
Chickens can recognise up to 100 faces
These faces included those of humans! Chickens even remember positive or negative experiences with the faces they recognise and pass that information on to members of their flocks.
Try to reach the back of the chicken with your hand, and gently stroke it. This way, the chicken will feel safe and happy. Try to talk to your chickens every time you see them. The more you talk to them, the more you'll be able to understand their language.
Chickens have mono-vision. The left eye is far sighted, and right is near sighted. This is the result of turning themselves in the egg so that the right eye is exposed to light through the shell, while the left is not, because it's directed toward the body.
Those of us who observe chickens on a daily basis see their memory and recall in action in a wide variety of everyday situations. Recent science tell us that chickens recognize over 100 individual faces even after several months of separation.
The story this week that chickens are capable of feeling empathy might have surprised some folk but it sure didn't surprise me. I've known chickens who were capable of love, jealousy, selfishness and lust.
Protection. Some chickens may also squat as a way to protect themselves. That's why chickens squat when you pet them. Even if they are receptive to a rooster, mating is often a rough process for hens.
Chickens have different personalities, and you may discover that some like to be petted while others would rather sit nearby. But even if they don't like your attention, you can still get them to trust you. Their temperaments can also depend on the breed.
You want to establish yourself as the dominant member of the flock, and turning around and running away will only encourage the bird's behavior. Wearing your protective gear, face the chicken and stand tall. Try to make yourself as big as possible, flapping your arms and stomping your feet.
2. Chickens have great memories & can recognize over 100 faces: Everyone with backyard chickens can attest to the fact that their chickens know them and each member of their family. They can even recognize different animals too, such as your dogs and cats.
Chicks that are larger, stockier, have thicker legs, and start to develop a larger comb and wattles will more than likely be roosters. Chicks that are smaller and who have shorter, more petite legs will more than likely be hens. Roosters will also carry themselves more upright than hens.
And they apparently like beautiful humans. A 2002 paper found that chickens have the same preference for certain human faces as do humans, "keying in on things like symmetry" in features—one of the subconscious measures of attractiveness, Blatchford says.
While it may seem like a bunch of squawking and cackling to us, these sounds are used to communicate some very important messages between a flock, such as 'beware, there's danger! ' or 'look what I've found! '
Chicken Hearing Range
They can hear sounds in the 10-12,000 Hz range, while the human ear generally hears sounds in the 20-20,000 Hz range, meaning that chickens can hear sounds that are inaudible to humans. And chickens have better hearing than humans below 64 Hz.
Be safe around poultry.
Don't kiss, hold or touch backyard poultry and then touch your face or mouth.
Hugging, kissing or snuggling chickens and other birds could lead to salmonella infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a report published in June, the CDC links a multi-state outbreak of salmonella to human contact with live poultry that live in backyards.
You may have some chickens that allow you to catch and hold them with no complaint. Other birds, however, may be a bit more cautious. Orpingtons, Brahmas, and a few other heavy breed chickens seem to enjoy being caught and held.
Purring (or Trilling)
These are expressions of utter contentment. Chickens purr when they are feeling calm and relaxed, and you may notice it most when you pet them!
Chickens are empathetic animals. Not only do they have their own feelings, but they can recognize and share in the feelings of other chickens. One study from 2011 measured the emotional responses of mother hens when their chicks were in distress compared to when the chicks were at ease.