Understanding More About Chicken Temperament
Even if you are aware of what a chicken is – and of course you are – you might not be very knowledgeable about them. If you don’t personally keep chickens or spend a lot of time around them, their lifestyles can be a mystery.
The majority of people envision chickens as creatures who scratch the ground in search of food, lay eggs, or produce meat. They know very little about chicken temperament or how to interact with them.
What more is necessary to know about chickens for someone who wants to keep them as part of a new backyard flock? Do hens have personalities and feelings? Does chicken temperament vary from breed to breed? If so, should you take anything into account before allowing these birds into your life? These and other related issues are what we are going to take a closer look at here.
Understanding the Chicken Brain
Although it may be difficult to believe, chickens are as intelligent as most nonhuman mammals. The forebrain of the chicken, which is responsible for cognitive and emotional capacity, has a similar physical structure to that of a mammal. That hens can experience, express, and comprehend emotions is supported by scientific research.
According to some scientists, chickens have the same emotional complexity as a companion dog or cat. This is something that experienced chicken keepers will say is absolutely true. If you spend lots of time around chickens you quickly discover that they are a lot smarter than we think. Chickens are more entertaining and interesting than you might have ever thought possible!
Do Chickens Have Feelings?
Since it’s accepted that chickens are capable of feeling emotions, it is safe to presume that given the structure of their brains, they are able to experience a wide range of feelings. It’s impossible to know for sure what they’re feeling without being able to ask them. By observing how hens behave can provide insight into their emotional state.
For instance, when separated from their flock, hens seem to experience depression. They are sociable animals with a powerful sense of community. They may cluster together out of friendship, for warmth, or out of fear. When kept separate from their flock, isolated chickens have exhibited stress symptoms such as feather plucking and self-harm.
Even though it can be challenging to discern a chicken’s feelings, the data suggests that they are capable of complicated good and negative emotions. Surprisingly, they can also exhibit emotional contagion, a type of empathy.
Chicken Temperament Differs Between Breeds
Different chicken breeds certainly have different general chicken temperaments. That’s something you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing which breeds to add to your backyard flock. Some breeds, like the Leghorn and The Plymouth Rock, seem to like humans and recognize their ‘owners’ but are not particularly affectionate.
Others, like the Orpington and the Australorp are far more likely to seem cuddly and even enjoy being picked up. There are even some breeds, like the diminutive Silkie, that act – and even look – like the cutest pet ever. This is not to say however that every chicken of a certain breed will have a chicken temperament exactly the same, but rather that these are generally observed traits.
