Do your chickens recognize your face, your voice, or both?

[Eck Shar]

Hello from Australia.

I know this is quite an old post, but just had to add my latest experience.

I was 'dressed up' for a 70s themed party with a big fake 'afro'* wig (*that's how it was sold ... no political incorrectness intended), beaded headband and majorly big hooped earrings.
Before I left, I thought I'd better give my two girls (totally free roaming and pooping) a farewell treat.

One chicken took no notice of my changed appearance, however, the other sat on my lap and turned her head in every direction obviously taking in the weird sights of hair, earrings, whatever. She was taking in the differences in appearances very studiously.

 

[Aaisha]

mine do.. when ever i go by the coop, all of them will come running to me, even the new ones follow them.!!!!

 

[appps]

LOL!!! My hens see me through my house WINDOWS!!! If I am in the kitchen and one spots me from the yard, they all zoom and run towards me! Of course I need to give them a treat of some sort.

All my girls are lap chickens. They all jump up on my lap when I sit down near them. Sometimes they fly up on my head or shoulders while walking. They recognize me amongst any other person. I'm number one their lives.. I also take care of them 100% of the time.

Mine are the same . Sometimes I look out and there they are lined up at the fence watching me through the kitchen window.

I think they definatly know who is who. They crowd round anyone who lets them out or feeds them etc but if my son or I are out in the yard they will come round to that part of the fence and try and find a way through. They don't do that with the rest of the family and the only difference is my son and I are the only ones who sit outside with them regularly.

 

[Bantamboys]

I go every morning to let my hens out of the coop into their run. As soon as I get close, I just say "Hey ladies" morning. They coming running to me, it is so sweet. When I have time I will take a blanket and hang out with them for a few and catch some sun. I have eight and they will all climb on top of me and chill.

marnie

 

[SilkieGirl 1]

I can say that chickens are not stupid, they are very smart and loving. I would say they do recognize your face and voice

 

[TalkALittle]

I almost forgot to say that it's well known that chickens know over a hundred different faces of their immediate flock.

I've seen this quoted a couple of times and I'd love to see the data that supports it. I would accept that they recognize vocalizations, feather patterns, comb features. I'd even buy that flocks develop their own unique mannerisms or vocalizations or social behaviors that are unique to that flock and thereby recognizable to others of that flock, similar to what occurs with pods of whales. But I find it very unlikely that it's strictly the "faces of their flock mates" that chickens recognize. Did researchers go around with a photo album of chickens? And what did they use as an indication that recognition was occurring?

 

[Jess ChickCrazy]

Ours are just 14 days old today, but I tell you they already recognize the difference between me and my husband. For instance, Happy Feet is in love with the hubby. She runs to him and climbs on his hand and just rubs and loves on him. When I come in, they all come running and look for me and start cheeping and peeping and raising a ruckus (they don't do this for him) and Happy Feet will climb on my hand but not love on me. I feel that they all follow me better as I am the feeder/waterer, poop cleaner etc and they've quickly learned this. All I have to do is walk in the room and say, "Hey babies" and they come running. lol It's their food signal I reckon.

 

[Teila]

I note that this is an ‘old’ thread which appears to have been revived a little.

I just wanted to add that my gals definitely know their names.

When I was feeding them treats, one by one, I used to say their name when they took it. Now, if I say their name, they reach forward because they know it is for them. I mix up the order in which I give the treats so I know they are responding to name not a preconditioned order of doling out.

I can also call one chicken name from the flock and she will come running; granted the others follow her but the chicken in front is always the one who I have called.

 

[Jess ChickCrazy]

I LOVE that idea Teila!! I'm going to start doing the same, and get my babies to come to me by name as well! Great idea!!

 

[Bantamboys]

My chicks, and they are only about 15 weeks old - so not really chicks. I go out to their coop every morn to let them out into their run. All's I have to say is "morning ladies", and they come running. It is very sweet. I usually take a few moments to sit with them and chat and let them jump all over me before my shower.

Chickens are affectionate!!