One of my favourite things about chickens…
By Fleur
@Fleura (29129)
United Kingdom
July 11, 2019 5:38am CST
is that unlike dogs or cats or many mammals, they will actually look where you point! This seems like such a simple thing, but if you’ve ever tried pointing out a missed cat treat to your pet you will know how frustrating it can be.
Obviously this is because they use their senses in different ways, and many mammals focus a lot more on scent than we do while birds rely quite heavily on sight, but nevertheless I am enjoying being able to share this simple communication.
If I toss some goodies over the fence and they don’t see them all right away, I can point out the missed treats and they will go and look in the right place – result!
14 people like this
14 responses
I am going to experiment with the chickens at the farm nearby.
@cperry2 (5608)
• Newport, Oregon
11 Jul 19
There is a town in California where I used to live, Fair Oaks. A farmer left a large plot of land to the city with the provision that the Chickens there could stay and would be protected. That was at the turn of the last century, around 1900. Anyway, there are chickens everywhere. They do run out into the road sometimes. This can be frustrating not to mention give one a fright.
2 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
11 Jul 19
I think that the reason for this is that a pointed finger looks very much like a beak to a bird and so they instinctively look at where your finger is 'looking'. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, will look at your face rather than at your hand and will often follow your line of sight that way, though a few can be trained to look at where you're pointing, though mostly they respond better if you are telling them to go/sit/stand where you point.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
11 Jul 19
i've 'lways thought chickens to be purty smart. when i 'twas a young'un, i'd a pet chicken. she went e'erywhere with me, whether i wished 'er to 'r not. if'n i'd managed to get my horse tacked'p without 'er, she come hollerin' 'n flappin' wings tryin' to catch'p with's. e'en goin' 's far 's grabbin' my horses tail. yup, i'd stop 'n let 'er'n the saddle with me.
i've trained bird pups fer years, so i reckon i've ne'er noticed pups not lookin' where ya point? the cat...yup, she'll jest stare 't'cher finger, lol.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
12 Jul 19
@Fleura yes ma'am, went through that same scenario with the resident cat here 't suppertime. 't aint oft i give treats, but fixed somethin' with cheese. her'n the pup 'lways get a few lil pieces. she 'twas convinced such 'twas still'n my hand, no 'er bowl :)
she rode with me 'n helped 'round the place, more 'kin to a pup?
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
12 Jul 19
@crazyhorseladycx Did she fetch things for you??
Maybe 'assistance chickens' could be the next trend - cheaper to keep than a dog : )
1 person likes this
@ihasaquestion (8274)
•
11 Jul 19
@Fleura I'm not the one talking about chickens here..
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
11 Jul 19
@ihasaquestion Not many vets know much about chickens. Mostly they specialise in cats and dogs - because the owners spend more money on them!
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
11 Jul 19
I have never known that chickens have a knack for doing it.They acquired it in the evolutionary developement of them.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
6 Sep 19
I didn't know that. I only know that hens have to turn their heads in a strange way to see in all directions. Once I saw how some hens watched a plane flying low. They turned their head so that one eye looked up. Obviousl,y they can't move their necks so that both eyes look up.
My grandparents had hens. When I was a child, I was able to train one hen to come to me and let me stroke it.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
6 Sep 19
Yes they are funny when they look upwards, they turn their heads first to one side and then the other, to judge the distance. I noticed that once, when I had tomato plants growing in pots, I discovered (too late!) that chickens really love tomato leaves! They pecked off all the lower leaves and then they would stand below the plant eyeing up the remaining leaves at the top, first with one eye, then the other. Then they would jump up and grab the leaf - they obviously got their distance estimates correct!
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
11 Jul 19
Chicken in my yard runs here and there.But I did not see eggs any.
1 person likes this
@cperry2 (5608)
• Newport, Oregon
11 Jul 19
How interesting. I've not interacted with many chickens. I will have to try this out the next time I have an opportunity.
