Why do chickens shake their head back and forth when they drink something different than water?

[Chubby Chicken]

I think it has something to do with taste/smell. Any thoughts?

 

[Chickadeeee]

I've talked to a few people who don't believe that chickens have tasting abilities--this fact is easily disproven by the fact that chickens have favorite and least-favorite foods. When I had baby chicks, I started giving a few of the runts mineral supplements to get their strength up, and after they'd drink each dose, they would shake their heads back and forth vigorously. I can only imagine that they were trying to remove the excess supplemental drink (it couldn't have taster or smelled that great) out of their mouths. I wouldn't worry about it—it's just a reflex they have, similar to us involuntarily making a face or gagging when we eat unpleasant food.

 

[Chubby Chicken]

I am not worried about it, just wondering and I think I found my answer. Chickens don't have tastebuds on the tips of their tongues. They have them on the rest of the tongue, the roof of the mouth and under their tongue. I think it happens with any new taste, not just bad ones. Chickens have olfactory lobes, so they can smell.