Whether it’s a cat purring or a dog wagging its tail, some animals show their emotion in obvious ways.
But humans can tell if chickens are excited or displeased by their clucks alone, according to a new study.
Researchers recorded noises made by chickens who heard a sound cue and were given a reward, and also those who heard a sound cue but were given no treat.
Nearly 200 participants were then asked to listen to the clucks and categorise them, indicating how pleased or displeased they thought the chickens were, as well as how excited.
Analysis revealed more than two-thirds of people – 69 per cent – were able to correctly categorise the calls.
Whether it’s a cat purring or a dog wagging its tail, some animals show their emotion in obvious ways. But humans can tell if chickens are excited or displeased by their clucks alone, according to a new study (stock image)
The results, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, revealed that two types of cluck were produced in anticipation of reward – the ‘food’ call and the ‘fast cluck’.
Meanwhile two other types of call, the ‘whine’ and the ‘gakel’, were produced in a non-reward context.
Food calls and fast clucks tended to be shorter while whines were wavering, high-frequency calls and Gakels were more ‘harsh’ sounding, the researchers said.
Analysis also found that there appeared to be no advantage for participants who had previous experience with chickens, compared to those who had none at all.
The researchers, from the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science, said the ability to detect emotional information from clucks could improve the welfare of farmed chickens.
They said: ‘This study’s predominant finding that a substantial proportion of participants could successfully recognize calls produced in reward-related contexts has important implications for the welfare of farmed chickens.
‘It provides confidence that people involved in chicken husbandry can identify the emotional state of the birds they look after, even if they do not have prior experience.
‘In future research, reward and non-reward related vocalizations could be considered reliable “markers” of internal states, allowing for the development of automated assessments of compromised or good welfare states within poultry management systems.’
HOW DO CATERPILLARS ‘SCREAM’?
A new report explains how certain caterpillar species are able to emit cries when predators approach.
Researchers from Carleton University in Canada learned that the creatures make these noises thanks to a process taking place in their guts.
When air is forced through a constriction inside them, they make a screaming sound, which is loudest around their mouths.
Researchers compared this process to that which takes place in tea kettles.
Structures within certain caterpillars’ guts act like tea kettles. Air is pushed through constrictions creating whistling noises inside them, researchers have found (file photo)
However, the process is still somewhat confusing to scientists, who do not understand how air gets into caterpillars’ upper guts.
The insects do not have lungs, and air gets enters their bodies via openings called spiracles.
Caterpillars are typically herbivores. However, some eat insects; a small percentage eat other members of their own species.
Caterpillars are known for having hearty appetites and being a pest to gardeners. As their bodies grow, they shed their skin continuously.
A body part found within their guts allows them to eat a great amount by monitoring potassium levels.
A number of species of moths are most frequently associated with their caterpillar stages because they endanger growing fruits and other produce.
Additionally, caterpillars are known as a source of silk for humans and as a source of food for animals.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
