Chicken behavior explained

Chicken behavior explained — three simple words that open the door to a fascinating world of flock instincts, social structures, and quirky personality traits. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or new to backyard flocks, understanding why chickens do what they do can help you build a healthier, happier coop.

What are your chickens telling you?

Hens aren’t just egg-laying machines — they’re intelligent, communicative, and emotionally complex animals with their own social rules and daily routines. Chickens express themselves in a variety of ways, from their vocalizations and body language to their social dynamics and natural habits. Each behavior offers clues about how your flock is feeling, what they need, and how they interact with one another. Whether it’s the quiet murmurs during a dust bath or the sharp squawk of a pecking order dispute, chicken behavior is a constant dialogue that, once understood, can become a valuable tool in responsible flock care.

Pecking order

The pecking order is one of the most visible and important aspects of chicken society. This social hierarchy is a system by which chickens determine who eats and roosts first, and how conflicts are resolved. Chickens assert dominance through body language and pecking, with higher-ranking birds enjoying priority access to food and space.

A stable pecking order usually ensures a peaceful flock, but disruptions, such as the addition of new chickens, can lead to squabbles. Understanding this social structure helps you introduce new flock members more carefully once you know which hens are most dominant. If you have a rooster in your flock, the top pecking order position will almost always default to the male, while older or more naturally dominant hens usually assert themselves at the top in an all female flock.

The pecking order may also be challenged periodically by younger, upcoming hens — especially if the same hen has been at the top for an extended period of time. Other hens can vie for position within the flock, and may even come out on top, but the process is usually loud and brief. You may notice your hens squaring off with their hackles raised, or even sparing similar to how roosters fight. They’ll squawk and raise a ruckus for a few seconds before resuming their usual activities. These challenges can be a one-time occurrence, or can repeat until a new hen comes out on top.

Flock bonds

Chickens are very social, which is why they must be kept in flocks, or in pairs at the very least. They recognize individual flock mates and often form tight bonds, especially among hens raised together. You might notice the same pairs or trios foraging side by side, resting together, or engaging in mutual preening — all clear signs of trust and companionship.

Flock bonds help reduce stress and support social learning, where chickens observe and mimic each other’s behaviors. Isolating a chicken for long periods of time can lead to depression or anxious behaviors, which is why it’s important to house them in groups and only separate hens when medically necessary.

The only time a hen will want to be on their own is in the event they go broody. A broody hen will guard their nest while sitting on a clutch of eggs. This instinct is driven by the desire to hatch eggs, and a broody hen will sit for approximately 21 days before leaving the nest. During this time, you’ll observe a hen pecking and making growling noises at even their best flock-mates — or you. Once a hen has finished sitting, they’ll resume their normal behavior. If fertilized eggs were hatched, the hen will give preference to the chicks until they are old enough to find their own place within the flock.

Vocalizations

Chickens have a surprisingly complex language, with over 30 distinct vocalizations. These include soft clucks to communicate contentment, sharp alarm calls to signal danger, and the famous egg song that celebrates a successful lay. Roosters also have their own set of vocalizations to assert dominance, attract mates, and warn of predators.

Paying attention to these sounds can alert you to problems like illness, predators, or even bullying within the coop. Learning to “listen in” on your flock can dramatically impact your understanding and care of them. After a few afternoons spent with your chickens, you’ll be able to isolate their different sounds, and notice which sounds are out of the ordinary.

Cognitive ability

Don’t let the phrase “bird brain” fool you — chickens are clever. Studies show that they can solve puzzles, understand cause and effect, and even recognize over 100 individual faces (human and chicken alike). Chickens also see in full color, which affects how they interact with their environment, from choosing their favorite treats and toys and reacting to coop decor.

Interestingly, chickens also experience REM sleep, the phase associated with dreaming. While we can’t say for certain what chickens dream about, this phase indicates a level of cognitive complexity more advanced than many expect. Providing enrichment — like chicken treat dispensers or changing up their foraging areas — can keep these smart birds mentally stimulated.

Natural behaviors

Many of a chicken’s daily behaviors are rooted in natural instincts. For example, foraging isn’t just about food — it’s also a form of exploration and entertainment. Chickens love scratching through dirt and leaf litter for seeds, insects, or fresh vegetation, and this activity keeps them mentally and physically active.

Dust bathing is another essential behavior, used to maintain their feather health and reduce parasites. Chickens will roll, flap, and toss dirt onto themselves to stay clean — a counterintuitive practice to most humans, but a happy sight for any chicken keeper.

Roosting is a nighttime ritual where chickens perch up off the ground for safety. An elevated chicken coop is a great way to provide the higher perch that chickens seek out when the sun goes down. Other natural activities you’ll see your chickens engage in are:

Sunbathing with their wings stretched out
Communal naps

Sitting on chicken perches

All of these behaviors are signs of a relaxed and comfortable flock.

Abnormal chicken behaviors

Outside of what’s normal for chickens are some behaviors that may indicate a potential problem. If you notice any of the following behaviors, contact your veterinarian:

Loss of appetite
Standing with wings outstretched (especially in the hotter months)
Excessive panting
Lethargy
Laying eggs less frequently

Other behaviors that warrant human intervention include:

Hen pecking — which can appear as excessive bullying or feather loss in lower-ranking hens
Frequent fights between chickens that result in bleeding or injury
Chickens being kept away from feed or roosting areas

In the event that hens are being bullied, the dominant hen (or hens) should be removed and housed in a backup chicken setup close to the rest of the flock. Wait a week or two before attempting to reintegrate them, and repeat the process as often as necessary to help rebalance the pecking order. In rare cases, dominant hens that repetitively bully lower ranking hens may need to be rehomed.

Omlet and your flock

Understanding chicken behavior is the foundation of responsible and rewarding chicken keeping — and Omlet makes it easier than ever to support your flock’s natural instincts. Our thoughtfully designed chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken toys and perches create an environment that encourages healthy behaviors. With setups that grow with your flock, our chicken keeping products make it easy to expand their space, integrate new flock members safely, and keep chicken predators at bay. Build a relationship with your flock that lasts a lifetime, and experience the joy that these underestimated companions provide.