Chickens perceive humans as social buffers and might follow human-given cues
Résumé
Positive perception of humans, extensively documented in domestic mammals, remains underexplored in domestic birds like chickens, where research has mainly focused on fear reduction. This exploratory study evaluated whether chickens perceive humans positively, considering interaction types and breed differences. Two breeds of laying hens (Lohmann LSL Classic and Lohmann Brown Classic) were subjected to one of three human contact treatments over a 13-day period (Days 35–51): physical contact (PC; 1–2 min/day), visual-only contact (VC; 1–2 min/day), or minimal human contact (MC). Following this period, birds underwent several behavioral assessments. In the separation–reunion test (Days 52–53), each bird experienced two consecutive 3-minute phases: separation (experimenter absent) and reunion (experimenter present) in an open-field environment. Calm behaviors (e.g., foraging, non-vigilance) were similar across groups during separation phases but significantly increased in PC birds during reunion phases compared to VC and MC birds. Brown birds exhibited lower calmness during separations compared to reunions—unlike White birds—and spent more time near the experimenter. The capture test consisted of up to six standardized attempts by the experimenter to catch each bird. PC birds were the easiest to capture, MC birds the most challenging, and VC birds displayed intermediate responses. Brown birds were generally easier to capture than White birds. In the local enhancement test (Days 120–137), birds' ability to interpret human gestures to locate food was evaluated. Two PC birds (one White and one Brown) successfully utilized human cues, with Brown PC birds performing notably better overall. These results suggest that chickens exposed to positive human interactions perceive humans positively and may associate human cues with rewards. Although fundamental, this study highlights the potential of breed-sensitive approaches to improve poultry welfare and opens the discussion on adapting human–animal interactions to breed-specific characteristics.
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