Does your chicken love you?

[Eggscaping]

Hey guys...

You know how some people say "cats don't really love you, they just want to be fed, ect."? But I, as a lifetime cat owner/lover know differently. When my cat cuddles with me, making biscuits and looking up at me with that slow blink cat lovers call a "kitty kiss" and will happily leave his food when he hears me come home because MOMMA IS HOME!!! Then I know differently. He loves me and I adore him right back. He and I are strongly bonded and have been for 13 years now.
Ok, so...
We are GOING to keep chickens as soon as we move and have a new home/yard with room for chickies. I admire them; I know that lots of people say they can be affectionate, sit on your lap, enjoy being petted, etc. But we have never (yet) actually HAD chickens.

So could those of you who have, tell me... I'm sure they can feel something for a familiar person, but...how do you say what they feel? Do you think/feel that they actually feel strong affection or love, or is it just familiarity for someone who brings food or treats? If you feel that your chicken really loves you - what makes you think that? After all, we as a species are primates, so our 'signature' behaviors (hugging, kissing, staring deeply into each others' eyes, and so on) are not necessarily what a non-primate would exhibit or understand. And I struggle not to anthropomorphise the behavior of other species. So - what do you think?

 

[HuffleClaw]

I’d like to think my chickens love me They all wait by the coop door wanting pets. Im with you in the cats! Cats DO love people

 

[Ribh]

My cats adore me & I adore them!!! As for the chickens...They're not the cuddly types but they talk to me constantly & follow me round the yard & come to see where I've got to if they haven't seen me in a while.

 

[azygous]

All animals are capable of forming deep attachments to both their own species and other species as do cats and dogs. We are one of the species chickens can form attachments with. I had a rooster I rehomed that formed a bond with a basset hound, sleeping in the dog house together.

We can't know precisely the nature of these attachments other animals form and what they are feeling toward the human or other animal they have a bond with, but we can observe and compare. Yes, my chickens are capable of what I would call affection toward me. Some enjoy being held closely and cuddled and they respond with low, contented sounds.

As with humans, not all chickens are inclined to bond with humans, but when they do, it's apparent by their behavior. I have several chickens that follow me around, and a couple will peck in a very certain way on my back or my leg to let me know they desire closeness. So not only do chickens form bonds, they also are capable of communicating this.

 

[azygous]

Bonding with group hugs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

From my experiences chickens bond with other chickens generally. I'm just the food bringer. Some can be more curious, and bold, but I don't think I ever thought that a chicken loves me. They could spend their whole day without me and not miss me.

 

[1cock2hens]

love as we understand it is a human idea. the chickens may have a fondness for you and may grow used to you being around, they may show some people favor over others, but they don't love you in the classic since of the word. IMO and the opinions of many many other highly educated people.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I know Judy and I have a unique bond. We love each other. She’ll tug on the hem of my coat just trying to get me to sit down. If I don’t she’ll fly into my arms. No treats. Just love. She is one of a kind.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

All animals are capable of forming deep attachments to both their own species and other species as do cats and dogs. We are one of the species chickens can form attachments with. I had a rooster I rehomed that formed a bond with a basset hound, sleeping in the dog house together.

We can't know precisely the nature of these attachments other animals form and what they are feeling toward the human or other animal they have a bond with, but we can observe and compare. Yes, my chickens are capable of what I would call affection toward me. Some enjoy being held closely and cuddled and they respond with low, contented sounds.

As with humans, not all chickens are inclined to bond with humans, but when they do, it's apparent by their behavior. I have several chickens that follow me around, and a couple will peck in a very certain way on my back or my leg to let me know they desire closeness. So not only do chickens form bonds, they also are capable of communicating this.

I concur. I rescued a Savannah Monitor lizard from a neglectful situation. Underweight and not at all socialized. I named her Ganza-German for the topnotch. After a year and 1/2 she was huge ( over 3' )and completely docile. Loved to be handled, cuddled and hand fed. Learned to walk on a harness and leash. I donated her to the Baton Rouge Zoo school visitation/animal education program instead of sell her to an unknown who might place her in another bad situation. Could have asked 3 to 500 bucks. But she learned to love me.

 

[aart]

love as we understand it is a human idea. the chickens may have a fondness for you and may grow used to you being around, they may show some people favor over others, but they don't love you in the classic since of the word. IMO and the opinions of many many other highly educated people.

Agrees....but the anthropomorphs never will.