Chicken Body Language

[Buster]

Mine sound like they are threatening me when I come to the coop and don't have treats for them.

 

[stilwellchick]

It has been cold winter weather here in KS but yesteray it was almost 70! Go figure, today they say snow. While it was warm yesterday I sat out in the hen yard on a bale of hay and visited with the girls. My friendliest one, Lavern,BR, got on my lap and kept trying to turn on her side while I was petting her almost like they do for a dust bath. Never done that before, anyone have an idea what that was about? Usually they just get in my lap and settle in for a good petting. They all like to gather around to be pet and tell me their little chicken stories of what's been going on out there in the coop. They all want attention at the same time and Possum (my BO) will give me a peck on the leg if she thinks she is not getting enough of the attention! I have looked for info. on interpretation of all their language sounds but haven't found anything. Some of their noises we all know, "feed me treats, let me out, I just laid an egg" and so forth but I wish I could find some animal behaviorist research on the more subtle sounds they make in communicating with each other.

 

[stilwellchick]

Very interesting article. Thanx for posting it.

 

[warren]

One of my hens was making a not-very-loud noise which I repeated back to them. They both ran off immediately as fast as they could with wings flapping and hid in the bushes!

 

[stilwellchick]

They probably thought there was a new chicken in their territory!

 

[Scrambled Egg]

One of my hens was making a not-very-loud noise which I repeated back to them. They both ran off immediately as fast as they could with wings flapping and hid in the bushes!

What they probably heard was, "Hello, I'm Colonel Sanders...hmmmm, extra crispy there, original here...."​

 

[Justino]

Quote:
What they probably heard was, "Hello, I'm Colonel Sanders...hmmmm, extra crispy there, original here...."

 

[sunnychooks]

Thanks for the interesting article, egh!
...but the picture scared me.

 

[pepperluvsmee]

Quote:
I think your hen was sun bathing in your lap. I love watching them just fall over when their bodies find a sun beam!
As for all the little squeaks and chatter, if you really pay attention when they are doing and it and observe how everyone reacts, you can tell what they are saying. I like when hens do that long, drawn out "Sqqquuuaaaccckkk". I am so happy to see that so many people on this forum spend time with thier birds. It is one of my most favorite past times, even int he winter, to watch them go about thier business for the day! I do this with all of my animals.
THANKS for the article, very interesting.

 

[SpottedCrow]

That pic certainly WAS scary looking...

Interesting article though...