Yes, They Do Have Emotions

A great new book about chickens includes a fascinating section about their emotional life. How To Speak Chicken is by Melissa Caughey. Here are some extracts….

- Melissa Caughey

When we got our first backyard flock in 2010, it was a complete leap of faith for me and my family. We had never kept chickens and had no idea what was in store. Some people want chickens mainly for the eggs. We welcomed the eggs, but we were more interested in the chickens as pets and in the life lessons they could teach us. It didn’t take long for us to discover how wonderful keeping a flock could be. Perhaps what intrigued me the most was coming to realize that chickens have emotions, just like dogs and cats.

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I was somewhat astounded. Call me a crazy chicken lady, but I have fallen in love with some of these girls. I like to think they love me, too.

They have become members of the family. When my family members and I are with them, our problems melt away. They make us laugh. They are silly, curious, and show moments of kindness.

They exhibit compassion to their flockmates, worry when others wander off too far, sleep together at night, accept those from different breeds, have tolerance for differences, live with one another’s unique quirks and personalities, and are amazingly resilient. I cannot imagine our lives without these wonderful companions in the yard and garden.

RULES OF ATTRACTION AND JEALOUSY