Cows are basically giant grass puppies. Goats will ask for affection and cuddles. Farm animals have so much in common with the dogs we share our homes and hearts with—and chickens are no exception!

Here are some fascinating ways our feathered friends are like our canine companions. 

If you’ve ever watched your dog friend chase after a ball with joy, you’ve probably realized that dogs like to play! Playing is fun, and for chickens and dogs alike, it’s also an important part of their cognitive, emotional, and social lives. Chickens love running, jumping, and playing with toys—just like dogs do! 

Plus, the better chickens are treated and the more stimulating their environment is, the more likely they are to play! For all farm animals, enrichment is vital. Find out why.

Too often, chickens are thought of as unintelligent animals who don’t think and feel, and this couldn’t be further from the truth! Chickens are capable of problem-solving and basic arithmetic, and they can perceive time and anticipate future events. They can also distinguish between human faces, alert each other to potential dangers, and use a variety of calls to communicate with one another. Learn more about these brainy birds!

Dogs demonstrate empathy for each other, and chickens do, too! These social and perceptive birds have been known to “catch each other’s feelings,” experiencing an emotion after seeing another chicken feeling the same way. Plus, mother hens become distressed when their chicks are stressed or threatened.

Dogs are known as best friends to humans, but chickens form meaningful bonds with us, too—as our caregivers, volunteers, and guests know at Farm Sanctuary! Just like dogs can distinguish between humans they know, chickens can differentiate between humans and choose how to respond to them.

Did you know that chickens and dogs have culture? Among animals, this means they can learn from each other through observation and pass that knowledge on to others. This behavior is also seen in dolphins, chimpanzees, and many other species, including humans!

Music can be powerful, with the potential to soothe not only humans but also many animals. Studies have shown that relaxing music can lower anxiety in our canine friends and reduce stress in chickens! Below, see Luke, our staff photographer, playing guitar to comfort Baklava hen in her final days.

 

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Like dogs, chickens are living, sentient beings who deserve our compassion and care. As science reveals more and more about these remarkable birds, the world’s understanding grows.

For example, last year, researchers found that hens blush when they’re excited or frightened.

Learn more about chickens and their emotional lives in Farm Sanctuary’s peer-reviewed study, Pecking Up Optimism, published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. And if you want to help make the world kinder for chickens and all farm animals, please visit our Take Action page today.