In a surprising discovery, researchers have found that hens, much like humans, can express their emotions by blushing.
Aline Bertin, co-leader of the study and researcher at the National Institute of Agricultural Research, explained to CNN, "Our research shows that domestic chickens are sensitive and have very subtle ways of expressing their emotions."
The study, involving several French institutes and the University of Tours, observed hens fluffing their head feathers when calm and blushing in both positive and fearful situations.
Bertin noted, "While humans often associate blushing with shame or embarrassment, it also appears during a range of emotions such as anger or joy."
She further emphasised, "Although the emotions of a chicken are not directly comparable to those experienced by humans, we have shown that they also blush within seconds during strong emotions."
Published in the journal Plos One, it revealed that low redness and fluffed feathers indicate a hen's calmness and security, offering insights into their welfare.
Researchers spent four weeks observing 17 hens on a French farm, noting that individual hens displayed unique behaviours.
The team used infrared thermography to confirm minimal temperature changes, supporting the validity of their observations.
However, Bertin aims to further investigate how these emotional displays relate to hens' social interactions and animal welfare.
