When you have kangaroos, porcupines and award-winning alpacas on the same farm, it's easy for the chickens to get a little overlooked. And honestly? They do not appreciate it. Our chickens are some of the busiest, chattiest and most entertaining characters on the property. Let's give them their moment.
Chickens are smarter than you think
"Bird brain" is not the insult people think it is. Chickens can recognize dozens of individual faces (of other chickens and of people), remember where they found good snacks, and figure out who's in charge of the flock. They also have a whole vocabulary of clucks, purrs and squawks, with different sounds for "I found food," "I just laid an egg," and "there's a hawk, everybody hide!"
The pecking order is real
That phrase comes straight from chickens. Every flock has a social ladder, and everybody knows exactly where they stand. Watch for a few minutes and you'll see it play out: who gets the best spot, who waits their turn, and who acts tough but scoots out of the way the second someone bigger shows up. It's basically middle school with feathers.
Dust baths are a spa day
If you see a chicken flopped in the dirt, wiggling around and flinging dust everywhere, don't worry. That's a dust bath, and it's one of their favorite things. Rolling in loose dirt helps chickens keep their feathers clean and keeps pests away. It looks a little ridiculous, but they are having the time of their lives.
They're tiny dinosaurs
Scientists consider birds to be living relatives of dinosaurs, and chickens are among the closest living relatives of the T. rex. Watch one stalk a bug across the yard and tell me you can't see it. Your kids will love this fact. (And will probably repeat it at dinner for a week.)
Fun chicken facts for the car ride
- Chickens have full-color vision and can see more colors than people can.
- A hen doesn't need a rooster to lay eggs.
- Chickens sleep on perches, called roosting, because it makes them feel safe up off the ground.
- They have more than 20 different sounds they use to communicate.
Why chickens belong on a farm like ours
Chickens are a great reminder that every animal has a story and a personality, even the ones that aren't exotic. At Eagle Eye Farm, we have more than 130 animals across 14 species, and every single one of them gets our attention and care. Big or small, fluffy or feathered.
Come meet the flock
Next time you visit, slow down by the chickens for a few minutes. Watch the pecking order, look for a dust bath and listen to all that chatter. You might just find a new favorite. Plan your visit on our farm tours page. The chickens will be expecting you.
