Humans can tell by chickens’ calls if they are happy or frustrated, research finds

A little bird told me: the data points to common ground in how animals share their emotions. Photograph: georgeclerk/Getty Images

People can tell if chickens are chirpy or frustrated from their calls, according to researchers who believe that listening to the birds could help breeders improve the welfare of their flocks.

Scientists played audio recordings of hens to nearly 200 volunteers and found that 69% could tell the difference between birds that were happy about an imminent treat and those that were annoyed that no such reward was forthcoming.