An article in the World Poultry Science Journal from research in France reports a review of the abilities of chickens to interact with humans. Evidence suggests that chickens are far from passive or purely instinct-driven. Instead, they exhibit rich and nuanced behavioural responses to visual, tactile and auditory human cues. Chickens can discriminate between individual humans, are sensitive to human attentional states, and can even use human social cues to guide their decision-making. Farmers who interact in a calm and positive manner with individual chickens are shown to improve wellbeing across the entire flock. Regular positive human contact reduces stress in chickens, improves immune function and egg production.
The researchers concluded that chickens learn about humans by observing their flock mates.
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