Listening to Chickens: How Sounds Can Tell Us About Their Health

Chickens make a lot of noise. But did you know that these sounds can tell us a lot about their health and how they're feeling? Scientists have been studying chicken noises for 15 days straight.

How They Did It

• Used special microphones in chicken houses to record all the sounds.
• Checked the temperature and humidity to see how it affects the chickens.

Key Findings

• Roosters are the loudest in the early morning.
• Their crows can reach up to 50 decibels (about as loud as a busy office!).
• A special computer program figured out which sounds came from roosters, hens, and other noises.
• It was 98% accurate.

Sounds and Egg Production

• Some sounds were linked to how many eggs the hens laid.
• A higher pitch in the hens' voices was linked to more eggs.
• When it was too hot or humid, the hens made different sounds.

Why It Matters

This research is part of precision livestock farming, which uses technology to ensure animals are healthy and happy. By listening to chickens, farmers can make better decisions and give the chickens a better life.