can chickens love people?

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks, guys. I'm definitely feeling !

 

[AntiqueB]

I agree with @BigBlueHen53 . Who knows what emotions other animals can or can't feel? Perhaps they're discussing whether humans have the ability to love them as they go to roost tonight.

My suggestion would be to go with your gut. I remember, many years ago, a psychology professor stating that animals don't dream. Dog owners in particular got up in arms about that scientific statement: what dog owner hasn't seen their dog moving and barking in their sleep? Now, of course, we know that even spiders dream. Who knows what else will be proven in the future?

Logically, I have some chickens who prefer the company of certain other chickens. My extrapolation is that they have friends, and friends means some sort of "love," though perhaps not shown in the way we show love.

I have one girl who came to me when she got flystrike. She let me examine her, even though she didn't like to be touched before. She let me treat her, though it could not have been pleasant. And for a few weeks after, she would come to me and let me pet her. I believe she knew I could help, and was grateful.

As chickens are animals, we are animals, too. It doesn't seem to be a stretch that they would feel as we do in many ways.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

have one girl who came to me when she got flystrike. She let me examine her, even though she didn't like to be touched before. She let me treat her, though it could not have been pleasant. And for a few weeks after, she would come to me and let me pet her. I believe she knew I could help, and was grateful.

Thank you for sharing this. Have we not heard of even wild animals who, when hurt, trusted a human, even a stranger, to assist them? This may not be love exactly, but it sure appears to be trust. And in this case there appears to have been an expression of gratitude afterward. It makes one wish we could indeed know what emotions animals do feel. For now, however, we can certainly observe, enjoy ... and speculate.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I agree with @BigBlueHen53 !!

 

[igorsMistress]

I think they can form bonds that we consider love. I have had two roosters that formed strong bonds with a single hen in the flock. Their behavior was much more intimate and caring with each other vs the rest of the flock. Not that they were mean to anyone, but there is/was a special bond between the pair. I’ve also had chickens that wanted my attention like a dog or cat would. So while some people may say no, I would tend to disagree.

 

[Shadrach]

can chickens love people?​

You're trying to upset people. It's not a question many keepers are going to feel comfortable considering. After all, according to many, we, humans, are the very pinnical of intelligence which the ability to feel love must be a componant of. It's much easier to dismiss the chicken and it seems most of the other species on this planet as sub human in every respect, here for us, the almighty human, to exploit.
There, that should upset the people you haven't with your question.

I could write pages about chicken love, but I won't because it would fall mostly on deaf ears. Instead, here are some pictures that in my opnion blow those happy newly married humans skipping down the isle pictures out of the water.

Henry and Matilda.

Cockerel love.

Sisterly love.

Hatch my babies love.

Bucket Boy (me) love.

Family love. The pale blond hen is dying surrounded by her family.

Touch my baby and I'll kill you love.

Trusting love.

Father love.

Family love.

Car for the elderly love. Very rare to see a junior hen groom the senior hen.

Young love.

Trusting love.

Rooster love.

Nope, no sign of chickens being anything apart from dumb unfeeling animals.

 

[AntiqueB]

Beautifully shown, @Shadrach .

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Looks like love to me, @Shadrach! Thank you for sharing these. Bookmarked!

 

[chooki]

Personally, I think most, if not all social animals feel love, that's one of the strongest bonds that hold them together and make them being social instead of solitary.

To answer the question on whether chickens love their owners, I think it depends. If you have taken good care of your chickens, providing food, shelter and safety for them, and spending a lot of time interacting with them, includes constantly showing your affections like petting or hugging your birds, then there is a good chance your chickens will form strong bond with you.

I have a rooster that likes to jump on to chest high gate to crow and for me to pet him, and a pullet that comes to 'chat' with me whenever she finds me in the backyard hanging out washed clothes. Both are the 'outcasts' of their own flock, and as such, I spend more time with them.

Love is a very vague concept, and I don't know whether those acts count as love. But if your flock follows you around and it's not just for food, then there is definitely something.

Here is a video that I have posted before, my roosters were following me much closer than indicated in the video, they kept some distance because they were afraid of the drone above:

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

can chickens love people?​

You're trying to upset people. It's not a question many keepers are going to feel comfortable considering. After all, according to many, we, humans, are the very pinnical of intelligence which the ability to feel love must be a componant of. It's much easier to dismiss the chicken and it seems most of the other species on this planet as sub human in every respect, here for us, the almighty human, to exploit.
There, that should upset the people you haven't with your question.

I could write pages about chicken love, but I won't because it would fall mostly on deaf ears. Instead, here are some pictures that in my opnion blow those happy newly married humans skipping down the isle pictures out of the water.

Henry and Matilda.View attachment 4039682

Cockerel love.View attachment 4039684

Sisterly love.View attachment 4039685

Hatch my babies love.View attachment 4039686

Bucket Boy (me) love.
View attachment 4039687

Family love. The pale blond hen is dying surrounded by her family.
View attachment 4039688

Touch my baby and I'll kill you love.
View attachment 4039689

Trusting love.
View attachment 4039691
View attachment 4039692

Father love.View attachment 4039693

Family love.
View attachment 4039694

Car for the elderly love. Very rare to see a junior hen groom the senior hen.
View attachment 4039695

Young love.
View attachment 4039696

Trusting love.
View attachment 4039698

Rooster love.
View attachment 4039700

Nope, no sign of chickens being anything apart from dumb unfeeling animals.

Well said!
Also, your chickens are gorgeous!