chicken behavior with 4y/o daughter

Chaska

In the Brooder
Apr 28, 2015
20
3
34
We have 6, 6~ week old chicks, one for each member of the family. My 4y/o daughter loves to hold them of course. We've taught her to be gentle and move slow as to not scare them. She always goes to hold hers. Here's where it get interesting. She will eventually catch hers, hold it like a babydoll, kinda on its back. She sings it little songs and chick will close it's eyes as if falling asleep. I can't imagine a chicken liking being on its back so we tell her to hold it upright and she does, then sings and the chick still closes it's eyes and she rocks it gently like a baby. When she stops the chick "wakes" back up. None of the other chicks do this. I was wondering if this was a chicken sign for something other than contentment?

Thanks,
Charlie
 
Not sure if it's contentment or resignation, lol, but it's not a sign of anything "wrong" if that is what has you asking. I had many a tea party, baby carriage ride, etc. with the chickens in my flock when I was not much older than your daughter. My favorites tolerated and, sometimes, even seemed to enjoy the attention - likely because it usually came with a special treat for them. As to the singing, there is a reason for the saying, "Music soothes the savage beast" - it is actually true. Not only can the rhythmic, sing-song vocalizations have a calming effect on the animal, it also helps to calm the human side of the equation and when the energy being transmitted from the human is calm that is key in keeping the situation in general calm. When working through a difficult spot with a horse I will often sing - for one thing, the singing requires me to breathe which is important since in a tense situation one of the first things a human might do is to tense up and hold their breath - singing gets you breathing and helps to untense your body which does wonders for what you are communicating to the horse (a tense rider = a tense horse).
Anyway - sorry got sidetracked - sounds like your little one is well on the way to building a fabulous relationship with her special friend. I hope they enjoy many years ahead together.
 
I didn't think it was bad just double checking. This is our first go around with chickens.

Thanks for the quick reply.
 

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