Facial Recognition

[Devyn Nagy]

I sing lullabies to my chickens or the national anthem to my chickens but the only words are spoken in chicken(took-took). They get all excited thinking I brought them food.

I just had fun imagining that.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Random thought... If you hang a pic of yourself in the coop, and your chickens peck at it and shred it/eat it. Does that mean they hate you?


Disclaimer.. this does not require a serious response in any way.

 

[K0k0shka]

Soooo how do you know a chicken recognizes a face? Mine recognize humans coming to the coop, but truthfully, they react to me just like they react to my grandchildren, even though I see them every day, and they see the grandchildren 1-2 a month.

I think they might recognize voices better, but even that I question. Often times, I don't talk to them, and they really don't act different than when I do.

I think the are mostly aware of my motion. When that motion appears, good things happen.

Mrs K

Scientists have ways of testing that, but it would be harder to recreate such an experiment at home, because there are so many factors at play - voice, posture, walk, clothes, tools, etc. that would still give your identity away. Experimental conditions are more tightly controlled, so the scientists can isolate what it is exactly that the animal is responding to. It’s fascinating work, which I wish I could do in another lifetime maybe

 

[rosemarythyme]

Random thought... If you hang a pic of yourself in the coop, and your chickens peck at it and shred it/eat it. Does that mean they hate you?


Disclaimer.. this does not require a serious response in any way.

Means you better not pass out in the coop or run at any point...

 

[16 and me]

Soooo how do you know a chicken recognizes a face? Mine recognize humans coming to the coop, but truthfully, they react to me just like they react to my grandchildren, even though I see them every day, and they see the grandchildren 1-2 a month.

I think they might recognize voices better, but even that I question. Often times, I don't talk to them, and they really don't act different than when I do.

I think the are mostly aware of my motion. When that motion appears, good things happen.

Mrs K

There are 4 of us that come to the coop/pen, and a handful of strangers that are visiting my son's shop near the pen. The Rooster makes that high pitched warning noise at my adult son & any of the men that get too near, and the hens pay attention to the roo. My daughter-in-law comes by the least, and they are leery of her. The Roo doesn't take his eyes off her. If she reaches out to give treats the hens happily accept them, but are very skittish. My young grandson who helps me out often - they're fine with and are watchful but comfortable with him in the pen. And me - if they're out free ranging & see me from across the yard - it's a flurry of flapping wings as they charge toward me half running, half flying. And then they follow me like a parade back to the pen.
There is no doubt in my mind that they recognize faces as familiar or not, and likely associate them with previous experiences. Have you seen the studies they've done on crows? They have exceptional recognition and recall capabalities - better than most humans!

 

[K0k0shka]

There are 4 of us that come to the coop/pen, and a handful of strangers that are visiting my son's shop near the pen. The Rooster makes that high pitched warning noise at my adult son & any of the men that get too near, and the hens pay attention to the roo. My daughter-in-law comes by the least, and they are leery of her. The Roo doesn't take his eyes off her. If she reaches out to give treats the hens happily accept them, but are very skittish. My young grandson who helps me out often - they're fine with and are watchful but comfortable with him in the pen. And me - if they're out free ranging & see me from across the yard - it's a flurry of flapping wings as they charge toward me half running, half flying. And then they follow me like a parade back to the pen.
There is no doubt in my mind that they recognize faces as familiar or not, and likely associate them with previous experiences. Have you seen the studies they've done on crows? They have exceptional recognition and recall capabalities - better than most humans!

It would actually be pretty easy to test if it’s your face they are responding to, or your body, movements, voice and overall demeanor. My bet would be on the overall demeanor. To test it, cover your face next time you go out - with a shawl, mask, etc. and proceed as usual. I might test this out myself tomorrow, in fact. Now I’m curious. My chickens have seen me with a medical mask on during the height of covid when we had visitors who wanted to see the chickens. My mask didn’t seem to confuse them at all, even though they could only see my eyes. They still ran to me and were wary of the visitors. Crows are exceptionally smart, at a level chickens can only dream of This test has been done on them, the full face mask. Crows are geniuses.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Means you better not pass out in the coop or run at any point...

Random caller to 911 dispatch... "No, it started out like any other day. I brought them their scratch calling 'Here, chicky chicky' and all of a sudden I'm knocked down and everything goes black....."
" Nothing unusual lately... Well, I did hang that photo of myself in the coop last night, but only because my chickens LOVE ME!! "

 

[Jakemedic]

I’m not sure if it is voice or facial recognition my girls have. I always say “hello ladies” when I go down and they all get excited and make all kind of chicken noises. They appear to know their names though. They are amazing critters for sure. Glad I’m not the only one with a lawn chair to sit in the run with them!

 

[WoDia]

I like what @Debbie292d said… “trust is gained through interaction”. Example: I’m the only one who takes care of (spoils) mine, so my standard breeds (especially) go berserk if anyone else enters their buildings. They pace, race around, and stare-down the intruder… even with me there. It’s obvious they don’t like anything out of the ordinary. With just me alone, they don’t express being bothered by any changes to my appearance (clothing or hair). And, they recognize me whether I’m wearing cosmetics or natural. They’re also accustomed to my actions and voice, because they always respond in a positive way. If I have someone else feed them, etc, they are suspicious… even afraid. I also agree with what @16 and me says… “There is no doubt in my mind that they recognize faces as familiar or not, and likely associate them with previous experiences.” Since I always conduct myself in the same calm and comforting manner, they are comfortable with me sharing their space. But, that is not the situation when someone else is present. As far as posting photos of one’s self for them to see, I have not scientifically analyzed that. I tried it years ago (mainly due to my own concerns) for when I was away. I’d post photos for my conure and budgies to “look at”. I never discovered whether it actually comforted them in my absence, but I did know they were always happy to have me there after I returned.

 

[wrathsfarm]

It would actually be pretty easy to test if it’s your face they are responding to, or your body, movements, voice and overall demeanor. My bet would be on the overall demeanor. To test it, cover your face next time you go out - with a shawl, mask, etc. and proceed as usual. I might test this out myself tomorrow, in fact. Now I’m curious. My chickens have seen me with a medical mask on during the height of covid when we had visitors who wanted to see the chickens. My mask didn’t seem to confuse them at all, even though they could only see my eyes. They still ran to me and were wary of the visitors. Crows are exceptionally smart, at a level chickens can only dream of This test has been done on them, the full face mask. Crows are geniuses.

I've been wearing a full face mask lately due to frigid temps. No change. But I wear the same Carhartt bibs also. A full change would be the test with a face mask.