Do they like the pets?

[Oncoming Storm]

So, I just got home from a small mission trip yesterday and saw my bantam Cochin Zulu and pet her. She leaned away a bit, but every time I touched and pet her, her pupils would dilate and would go back to normal when I took my hand away. Does this mean she likes to be pet or is this something that just happens? I know people’s pupils dilate when they like something so I was wondering if it was something like that.

 

[centrarchid]

In some animals, pupil dilation is friendly. In additions to us, that holds with freshwater sunfish. In cats, big pupils means about to attack. I will see how my pet cockerels react with respect to eyes. They do not like being petted as a general rule even though they like being my buddies.

 

[Mimi13]

It’s very interesting that you noticed that. I am a fairly observant individual and have never noticed any dilation changes in my chickens from being petted. Usually their eyes close while I’m petting them. They are spoiled.

Now my dogs on the other hand, dear lord! I raised Springer Spaniels years ago and I quickly figured out the warning sign for the “Springer rage.” It was pupil dilation...on steroids, right before they snapped. One of my least favorite breeds BTW. I have since noticed it in my male lab when I would tease him with food as I was training him not to take food from my hand until told. I believe his eyes dilated in great anticipation of finally getting the food though.

I am going to watch for signs in my birds now.