Can chickens feel... Anxious??

[Sobek]

It's 8:30pm here. 30 minutes later than when I usually bring the chickens in. I stood outside for a minute and I felt a little anxious about it getting so dark. Usually dark is associated with "scary" things like getting mugged in an alley. Chickens don't have to worry about being robbed but do they feel anxious in that same way? I worry about my chickens so when 8pm approaches I'm worried even though I know I'm home and they will be safe I still worry. I feel anxious. Can my chickens feel that sort of anxiety? All of this is from a human's perspective, but I'm trying to understand what a chicken might feel when darkness approaches and so forth

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are at risk for predation every night. It's the reason there's always bickering for the highest best roost spots at dusk.

Are they frightened every night? I'm sure there's some concern, especially if something has happened during the night like predators sniffing about.

Chickens will feel safest with high roosts under cover.

Most animals share our range of emotions, and feel them accordingly. The length of a chickens memory and it's reasoning ability is less than us. They do follow instincts and urges more, and seem to live each day like it's their only day. So what they feel nightly can only be guessed at, but I'm sure some feel a bit of fear, and others just go to sleep.

 

[aart]

I feel anxious. Can my chickens feel that sort of anxiety?

I know that if the keeper feels anxious the birds can detect that and it might make them nervous.
Why it's good to be calm, cool, collected, and confident when handling birds.