Chickens also blush when they are excited

The characteristic of blushing upon excitement, considered characteristically human, had previously been demonstrated in certain vultures and macaws.

Chickens blush when they are excited
In the experiment, six domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) were observed for three weeks in a large enclosure in the Loire Valley and filmed in different situations, such as when they were being fed or captured. The degree of facial redness was then measured using imaging software. The result: According to the researchers, the chickens’ faces turned red to varying degrees depending on their emotional state.

When they were given tasty food, they only blushed a little. But if they had a negative experience and were caught, the animals’ faces would turn scarlet red. At rest, however, the animals’ skin was reportedly much lighter.

Reaction to people examined
On this basis, researchers led by Aline Bertin and Cécile Arnould from INRAE ​​​​investigated the relationship between humans and animals. Over a period of five weeks, they gradually got thirteen chickens used to the presence of an experimenter. Unlike other chickens that were not used to a human, the first group maintained a lighter skin color in the presence of the experimenter. According to the information, this could indicate that they perceive people more positively than the chickens that have not been used to a person before.

This research has opened new perspectives on chicken expressions, the report said. These include, for example, the movement of the head feathers, but also how the color of the chicken’s face changes during play, when frustrated or in social interaction.