Why do chickens make you happy?

[Henrik Petersson]

I was out in my parents' yard the other day, shoveling dirt for one of the many hobby projects i tend to work on while there. I had been in my town apartment for a week, and was not feeling very well, stressed out over University and life in general. Their chickens were free ranging, and since freshly disturbed soil is the hen equivalent of amusement parks, the chickens stayed close as I went about my business. And, as has happened a hundred times before, I noticed after a while that their mere presence had a calming, mood-uplifting effect on me. Having them around simply made me happier.

And I'm far from the only one who's noticed this. Neighbors with chickens describe how seeing the flock roam around gives a "tranquil" effect. I read on chicken groups online about people whose depression has largely abated after they started caring for chickens.

What is it about chickens that make us happy? Is it something simple, such as that they give us company? Or is the key that they are undemanding company; at a party I get stressed from the pressure of saying interesting things and generally not make a fool of myself, whereas a chicken will never judge you (unless you try to pick them up or chase them away). Unlike certain other animals such as dogs, you never have to entertain a chicken - they will do that themselves.

Could it be the fact that we, as humans, get happy by caring for things, be it animals, potted plants or children? I guess that certainly plays a part, but I get happy even visiting other people's chickens, not actually tending to them one bit.

Or is it something even deeper, something hidden deep within the mutual history of the animal, and in both our genetic codes? Chickens have been with us for many thousands of years; our lives have depended on one another, the chickens certainly have been bred to fit our needs, but maybe we've unintentionally bred ourselves to fit the chickens? Perhaps farmers that became happy from their chooks were better at taking care of them, which in turn made their birds prosper more, and provide more food. I read some theory about humans evolving somewhat to fit better as company for dogs at the same time that dogs evolved to be better company for us; maybe something similar has happened with our relationship to the chicken?

Has there been some serious research about this? Even if it hasn't, I'd love to hear your amateur theories.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

For me it's their eternal optimism. Every day is a great day to a chicken. Even if it's gotten the same treat every day for it's whole life it's still happy to receive it. They are always happy to see me. Chickens are honest creatures who live each day to it's fullest.

I enjoy watching them, their movements are beautiful, and comical. They can come up with some crazy ideas sometimes. They are always happy. They bring great joy to my daily life. They remind me how precious life is, and how I need to live in the present.

Chase every bug you see, you never know when you're gonna catch one.

 

[Chickassan]

They make me happy because they're individuals! Everyone says "flock" of chickens like it's one big fluid thing, it isn't . Flock is many different personalities putting up with each other until the day is done, much like us. Being privileged enough to have a flock I've been able to discern personalities and actually sort of connect with the birds. So i guess chickens make me happy because they teach me better understanding of pretty much everything.

 

[Fallenone05]

Mine make me happy because everything is, "as it is" with my birds and me. They're perfectly content to sit and do nothing but bathe in the dirt or forage for hours and hours.

They provide me company and all I need to do is stay a constant in their lives. I've sat out on a milk crate for two hours once, just merely watching my chickens be chickens. Something about their simplicity and pureness in their actions is relaxing to me.

It was the same with my dog, before he was euthanized. The purity and sureness in an animals' actions ease me so, so much.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

For me it's their eternal optimism. Every day is a great day to a chicken. Even if it's gotten the same treat every day for it's whole life it's still happy to receive it. They are always happy to see me. Chickens are honest creatures who live each day to it's fullest.

I enjoy watching them, their movements are beautiful, and comical. They can come up with some crazy ideas sometimes. They are always happy. They bring great joy to my daily life. They remind me how precious life is, and how I need to live in the present.

Chase every bug you see, you never know when you're gonna catch one.

Great answer. I agree with every word.

I love the chicken temperament. They have the endless curiosity of a puppy, but it's tempered by an almost equally strong carefulness. They never rush into unknown things, but cautiously check, prod and examine everything new. That makes for a very even, agreeable disposition that is nice to be around. Interesting, but not in your face.

You're definitely right about living in the present. If I, intentionally or unintentionally, disturb a chicken into giving up what it's doing, it doesn't go back to do that thing afterwards, but does something new. If I chase them off the neighbor's property, they just start to peck and scratch somewhere else with unabated enthusiasm. They never look back and never plan ahead.

As to why their movements fascinate us, I think it might have to do with just how distantly related we are to them. Most "normal" pets are mammals, just like us. But birds are as far removed from us as reptiles are. They truly are alien creatures, and their jerky, mechanical movements seem very strange from our mammal-centric view.

And yet, they are so similar to us. They lie down and bask when the sun comes out. When unhappy, they moan. We can easily tell when they are scared, interested or worried. Their faces, lacking the mammalian muscles that gives us the ability to show emotions via different facial movements, are perpetually frozen in what to me looks like a perfect mask of righteous indignation, making everything they do all the more comical.

 

[Coykoi]

That's so funny that you posted this. I had friends over about a week ago who had never seen my flock. They seemed standoffish while we stood in the run, but as we were leaving the run I let the birds go out to free-range. The birds made their customary bee line toward the garden beds to scratch in the wood chips. My friend suddenly came alive with exclamations of how happy and peaceful the birds looked. I didn't put that together until reading your post, but they are in "chicken heaven" when they get to kick around under the plants and bushes. Even the rooster, who had conjured fear prior to going out in the grass, suddenly became a "good boy" while watching his girls. There is a magical power of the chicken present in every flock.

 

[Michael P]

Chickens make me laugh!

 

[theoldchick]

Well, we all know I'm a chicken watcher. Chicken TV is utterly amazing and you never have reruns.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I will be glad when i have more time to watch my chickens. We are very busy building things and fixing things , planting things etc. But they are very fun to watch, and all come boiling out of the coop every day when i open the pop door...looking for treats. Mine just hatched in August, so still young. The roosters amuse me with their attempts at crowing!