(Admittedly ridiculous) question about chickens watching TV

[RGB RIP]

With the continued heat wave, I'm bringing my chickens into a pen in the living room during the hottest hours of the day. (I only have two, so it's not that bad.) They usually free range in the yard, and I felt bad about keeping them penned up, worried they'd be stressed or bored. So I started leaving the TV on for them, thinking they might find the sound or movement interesting. To my surprise, they are fascinated with TV... much more so than my cats or dogs.

I have discovered a trove of YouTube videos with hours of nature and wildlife footage. And then there are other webcam videos of people's chicken runs. When I put on a video of songbirds or squirrels, my hens sit quietly and watch it intermittently, and some things seem to interest them more than others. When I put on a video of other chickens, they get super excited. They stand as close to the TV as possible and make an immense amount of noise, yelling at the TV.

So my question is this: are the chicken videos good or bad? I can't tell if seeing the other chickens (including roosters) is fun and stimulating for them, or if it's actually stressing them out. Does anyone have a take on this?

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Do they raise their hackles up? That's so funny.

 

[little chick-y baby mama]

I think this is SO adorable and funny, you should not worry, just laugh. this could totally turn into an ongoing thread!

 

[RGB RIP]

Do they raise their hackles up? That's so funny.

I haven't particularly noticed the raised hackles, just that they make a lot of noise and sometimes strut back and forth. But the noise they make when they lay an egg is very similar to the noise they make when there's a predator in the yard, so it's sometimes hard for me to tell if they're alarmed or just excited.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

I wouldn't worry. Just play ones that they like!

 

[3KillerBs]

Are they interested or are they frozen-alert and watching for possible danger?

 

[RGB RIP]

They don't seem frozen. In fact they get very active, pacing back and forth in front of the TV. At first I amused myself thinking they were heckling the roosters, like it was the chicken version of the Chippendale dancers. But then I realized they might actually be feeling territorial, and the sight of all those strange birds might be upsetting them. (Either way, my husband, who works from home, told me he can't do Zoom calls with all that racket going on in the background. So I guess it's going to be be peaceful songbird videos for the time being.)

 

[RGB RIP]

Update: Okay, so this morning it was only 78 degrees out, but they were already lined up on the back step, pecking at the door to be let in. Soooo... too much television, do you think?

 

[LaFleche]

Chickens love entertainment and treats, so get ready for another session!

 

[Reliablesquirrel]

That is so funny, try and get a video or a pic!