Do chickens have tastebuds?!

[Lmarie]

Just curious, do chickens have tastebuds or do they just like the color and texture of certain foods?
My chickens are addicted to crack (scratch), and love tomatoes. I didn't know if taste even mattered to them or not.
~Lauren

 

[al6517]

I like to think that they do have taste buds, they devour certain treats while ignoring others, They have little tongues so why wouldn't those tongues have taste buds on them as well. Just my take on this.

AL

 

[mybelle5]

That's a question I've been wondering as well. I feed mine about every 3 weeks cut up very hot cayenne peppers mixed in with their food. (To help with worming). They seem to love them..