Fowl Play – Emotional Ties in Chickens

I’ve always known there were emotional bonds that formed between chickens, I’d seen it before, two always hanging out together, while the others are just on the outskirts, forming their own bonds.

But nothing was as clear as a recent event that occurred with some new chicks I adopted.  A friend needed to move chickens that were in violation of city ordinances and brought three Gold Laced Wyandotte’s to my ranch to live.

What was somewhat comical and somewhat sad is that she had two Wyandotte’s of her own, among others, and somehow managed to confuse an adoptee with hers – a sweet three-month old girl named “Goose”.  She brought Goose to me with two others instead of the original three that had grown up together.

It was obvious from the moment they stepped out of the carrier… Goose was not an original sister – she was rejected, and left alone to fend for herself.  She was picked on at “sleep” time – while the other two, who looked exactly like her, cuddled happily – all the while scrambling to get as far away from Goose as possible. It was sad really, because Goose tried very hard to fit in, but it was obvious she was in distress by the sounds she made, as well as in her actions.  She stayed huddled in a small space in the barn – all alone – and just seemed lost and unhappy.

My friend and I decided that a switch was necessary, so she made another trip over with the lost soul who had also been rejected in her own flock, to make things right again.  Last evening, she came and got “Goose” and returned the original “sister” to the two I’d adopted.

The cooing, cuddling, and connection was so obvious anyone without a trained “chicken” eye could see they were ecstatic to see one another, and the babes at my home haven’t left each others side. They missed one another and it was as obvious as day is from night.  Color, breed, or any other similarity wasn’t what bonded them… it was love.

The bonds they form with each other are incredible, many chickens who grow up together stay friends for life.  Just like my Maggie and Molly – who stayed together every part of their lives – eating, resting, sleeping and foraging. Molly was quite lost after Maggie passed away.  She still wanders the property alone, months later.

The two Barred-rock chicks I recently added to my flock, Mattie and Mosey, are the same way. They are inseparable. When I hold one without the other, there is obvious angst and worry.  The love and support they show each other is adorable. When one wanders off just a little too far from the other, a bursting-running dash occurs to get close again.  It’s priceless.

Chickens teach their young habits that they’ve learned over the years, to save them from consuming harmful foods, to avoid certain animals, and to carry on the knowledge they’ve acquired which has kept them alive.

Life with chickens is immeasurably rewarding – they show appreciation – if you pay attention.  For every hug, morsel, fresh water change, and for just being there.

Every time I sit and visit with the two little darlings, Mattie & Mosey… they jump on my lap for pets and hugs – and just to be close.  They can sit with me for hours, they feel the love, and they give it back tenfold – indicated by the sounds they make.  The sweet cooing sounds that indicate pure contentment and love.

Anyone who thinks chickens aren’t sensitive intelligent beings, has not lived with and among them.