Stories Of Chicken Friendships

I’m often curious to hear how some folks speak of chickens as though they aren’t sentient beings. We refer to avian species, and chickens in particular, as having birdbrains, equating them with stupidity. I don’t think birds have the same range of emotions or the capacity of comprehension in the same way as ours, but I also don’t believe that they are devoid of attachments and feelings.

Despite chickens being the most widespread bird species on the planet – numbering 19 billion – most people see them as sources of food and not complex animals sharing many traits with their wild cousins. A scan of the scientific literature on chicken cognition and behavior will disappoint you as it’s narrowly focused on their management and welfare solely based on their productivity and usefulness as producers of meat and eggs.  

Why do we feel the need to elevate our species and ascribe to us superior attributes over all other living things? I happen to think that, despite our intelligence and potential, we’re not the centre of the universe and we’d learn a lot more about whom we shared the planet with if we weren’t so egocentric. Having pets – cats and dogs – does give you some insight into the emotional life of other beings, but if you watch your flock closely, and over time, I think you’d agree that chickens have feelings too.

Here are some heartwarming stories of friendships between chickens.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for helping a hen that may be depressed? Important context: my bantam frizzle, Gogurt, had a habit of getting whichever of my girls that was broody into babying her. She would burrow herself underneath them and get them to treat her like a chick. One of my Brahmas, Obi-Wan Henobi, would be this “mama hen” the most. She’d even follow Gogurt around doing that sort of “tut tut tut” mama hens do with their babies. Obi-Wan was still sorta mean to Gogurt but Gogurt was also at the bottom of the pecking order (likely for being the smallest). 

Yesterday I got home from work and found out that Gogurt had passed away. Something had gotten into the run and went after my girls, but Gogurt wasn’t able to get away like the others. My mom found her in pieces. While my mom was telling me this I noticed Obi-Wan standing in the run, right next to the coop, just staring into the side of the run where Gogurt’s body was found with her tail sorta down. For 5-10 minutes Obi-Wan didn’t move. She was still just staring at the other side of the run. 

I gave my girls some mealworms (Obi-Wan ate them out of my hand).  She was back to moving around but still had her tail down and just seemed off. I’m now worried about Obi-Wan potentially becoming depressed. I know depression can be fatal in chickens so I’d really like to help her as much as I can. Right now the idea is attention and affection, which is why I had her eating mealworms from my hand and I had tried to give her some pets. My girls are all still jumpy; one that usually always lets us hug and pet her won’t let us touch her. I was hoping others have had similar experiences and have ideas on how to help Obi-Wan with the loss of her “baby” (they were all raised together from chicks but Gogurt was good and getting her sisters to baby her). – Madelyn Frieden

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We were putting up the chickens in the coop and saw this: two hens, different breeds, one stronger in health and older than the other. One deformed from an infection with only one eye to see out of, yet love and compassion exists between the two. I’m certain we could do likewise. – Debbie Kelly

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Has anyone had a chicken grieve itself to death? This is Phyllis and her BFF died three days ago. She’s literally sat here since Jolene died. I don’t know what to do for her. My girls provide eggs but they’re also very beloved pets and I spend lots of time with them so I know their personalities and check them over regularly and keep an eye out for health issues. I have to physically move her to the food and feed her alone or she won’t eat. It’s so sad to watch. – Sydnie Hoefs Gossett

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I got these two hens when they were “at least 5 years old” on Craigslist. The owners didn’t want them anymore because they didn’t lay. I’ve had them three years now and they’re my two top hens. They don’t lay eggs but they do a fantastic job of managing the flock. I don’t have any bullies and I think these two are the reason why. They are never aggressive but they don’t let anyone get away with anything either. They are in excellent health, they’re just enjoying the sun today! – Kateri Felicity Bean

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Pickles and Mrs Mangle have been apart for quite some time. Mrs Mangle’s health plummeted after her best friend, Tontine, died in November. Mrs Mangle became skin and bone and was very much willing herself to die due to grief. Within the last month, Mrs Mangle has decided she wants to live again so I’m reintroducing her to Pickles and her flock. At the moment, Pickles is very angry with her. Chicken friendship and family is so complex and so full of emotion. How anyone can think they are not fully fledged feeling, thinking beings is beyond me. All you have to do is spend time with these birds and really watch and listen to them, they’ll tell you how emotional they are. – Lefty’s Place Farm Sanctuary 

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Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos. Featured photo credit: Whitney Armer

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