If we want to understand what birds are saying the easiest way to learn is from the birds that live with us.
Sue Cross at The Holistic Hen observes her free range chickens closely to find out what they’re saying. Sometimes a message isn’t clear at first.
This hen flew up to touch the door repeatedly. Watch the video to find out why.
Read more about chicken behavior and organic forest farming at The Holistic Hen.
(video from The Holistic Hen on YouTube)
That is an absolutely delightful video. It goes to show how much can be learned and understood when someone just takes time to try! The birds are in a very good place! Thank you so much for this lovely post!
Her voice is so calm and soothing. Makes.me want to take a nap. Kind of like watching Bob Ross painting. Those chickens are living la vida loca!
Thank you so much Kate for posting my film and also the lovely comments from Maryann and Susan, I really appreciate it and them! I have a great deal of footage of ‘chicken speak’ and body language and you have encouraged me to get to work editing it. Bird languages are something which fascinate me, in particular because my hens have raised several different types of bird (all with their own languages), including; coturnix quail, ducks, geese and even a jackdaw and yet it takes but a few hours for them to begin to understand each others needs. I also notice how with alarm calls the hens have an understanding of wild birds and vice versa. I even had a blackbird in the forest garden who used to play upon this by imitating the cry of a buzzard, particularly at breakfast time. My hens would run for cover and the blackbird would swoop down and eat their food!
All the very best from Normandie, Sue aka The Holistic Hen
Sue, thank you so much for your comment. It’s so fascinating to hear that a blackbird made the buzzard sound. In North America the blue jays (corvids) do that to make birds scatter from the seed. I had no idea that thrushes would do it, too. Keep up the good work. You have a lovely blog.