Did you know that chickens can express their emotions through their faces? Researchers from the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE) in France discovered that there are varying degrees of redness on the faces of these birds, which depend on their emotional state.
The discovery was shared in an article published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science on April 21st. Over the course of three weeks, researchers observed and filmed six Sussex chickens, aged between three and four months, in a 363 m² forest in the Loire Valley, France.
The birds were placed in a series of different situations in order to induce varying emotions. Cameras located in the area took 18 thousand photographic records that were later placed in a software, in which the redness levels of the facial skin of the chickens in these photos were measured.
Analysis has shown that when chickens are exposed to attractant foods such as mealworms (tenebrio molitor), they have a slight blush. In negative experiences, such as when humans were trying to capture them, the birds’ entire faces turned scarlet. On the other hand, when they were at rest, their skin tone appeared considerably lighter.
In addition, the researchers also carried out another test with 26 chickens, in order to investigate the relationship between humans and these animals. While 13 were gradually accustomed to the presence of a scientist over a period of five weeks, the other 13 did not undergo this preparation.
The group accustomed to human presence maintained a lighter skin tone, suggesting a calmer mood. This may suggest a more positive perception compared to chickens unfamiliar with humans.
The experiment, already carried out in previous research with blue and yellow macaws, presents new perspectives on the study of the emotions of birds, especially domestic birds. The information obtained can help scientists devise new approaches to assessing animal welfare.
Furthermore, the research opens the door to a more detailed description of possible means of expression for chickens, mainly the movement of head feathers, as well as changes in skin color during positive and negative situations.
