Is it possible for chickens to get Jealous?

[WickedChicksNH]

I brought my new ducklings out today, I was sitting on the ground with them, Luna my little year old cohrin, who has always come running to along with my 2 year old NH red, I can actually call them and they come. I raised them both in my office with me when they were first home, always been friendly.
However today Miss Luna decided she was going get up on my lap and cuddle close and wanted me to pat her and hug her for at least 20 min. Like I said always friendly and sweet but usually after climbing on me she is off after a min or so.
You think it's possible for a chicken to get jealous?
This is her today all happy chilling with me

 

[Theladiesandagentleman]

Possibly jealous in that there is something new outside the established order of things.

 

[SueT]

I taught my little bantam to fly up onto my arm, and the 2 old hens started attacking her. I think they're jealous.

 

[WickedChicksNH]

I am think you might be right. she did boop them on the butt once or twice, and fluffed her feathers at them, but I was right there sitting on the ground with them all, and she never went any further.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I taught my little bantam to fly up onto my arm, and the 2 old hens started attacking her. I think they're jealous.

Jealousy is the working definition of the pecking order. The older hens do not like sharing you with ducklings. I don't think that they are jealous as much as they are greedy. Some other domesticated animals exhibit jealousy, notably dogs who can be sensitive to other dogs or even humans messing with their food bowls while the pooch is eating and even sometimes when they are not actively eating.

 

[sekeyslaks]

I had an EE named Cookie once who got very jealous of the new ducks we had,the ducks loved to go underneath the coop to eat the leftovers the hens dropped and then hang out with me...and Cookie hated that. She started following me around,circling around me whenever she so much as saw the ducks coming over,and if they got too close to me...she would attack them and chase them all the way back to the lake!hackles raised and everything! so yes I absolutely believe chickens can get jealous.

 

[RWise]

I picked up a pair of GEM pullets, when I put them into the flock they very fast became attached to the rooster. They would fight any hen he tried to mate, even try to knock him off,, that did not last long. I think they were a bit on the jealous side,,, but they had never seen a rooster before.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I have a buff brahma who displays clear jealousy when I pick up another bird. She gets up on whatever object gets her closest to me and makes the same sound she makes when being pet. Funny birds.

 

[chickens really]

Hello...
Don't put human emotions on Birds. Not jealous.. Territorial and dominate behaviour. I do not allow my Birds to own me, I own them....

 

[Oskyr-isadora Phenyx Rozy]

I disagree. Animals do show "emotion." Or behavior that mirrors emotion, if that sounds better.


Some people love their birds as pets, myself included, and get to know their individual personalities. Personally, I would do as much, within my means, as possible for my birds and cats to keep them happy, healthy, and safe.


But to each his own!