I'll talk, you listen

Paul Donovan investigates the importance of vocalisation in chickens, and how it conveys a bird's feelings, and state of health

- 

Communication is one of the most important aspects of an animal's daily life, as it allows them to talk to one another, and convey feelings. People who have high levels of interaction with their birds, will soon get to know that their birds have different ‘songs’ to express happiness, sadness, health, or if they are just feeling grumpy. Accompanying these can be very specific behaviours.

IT HELPS THE VET

Having worked with animals for almost my entire working career, every group that I have kept, be they reptiles, birds, or mammals, express themselves in ways which you begin to identify with. You instinctively know if they are unwell by observing posture or, in a birds case, very specific vocalisation. If your bird requires veterinary treatment, the vet may ask you “how has the bird been acting?”. You can then say “well, it’s been acting very strangely, and making unusual noises”. A veterinary surgeon is not psychic, they cannot look (in most cases) at a bird and say “oh, yes, this or that’s wrong with it”. They need input from you, the owner to try and make a concerned diagnosis. And the only way you can convey what he or she requires, is by observing your birds behaviour, and listening to them.

HOW SOUND IS CREATED