A fowl question.
- Thread starter Gehanna
- Start date
Not sure. Woodcocks are even more interesting. I swear they can't move until the bobbing back and forth motion is enough for them to take that first step. Fun to watch.
ETA - You got me curious so I looked to see if I could find anything on the woodcock. It says this rocking motion may be to help drive worms up in the ground so they're easier for the woodcock to catch. That may be the answer with chickens too. Puma
ETA - You got me curious so I looked to see if I could find anything on the woodcock. It says this rocking motion may be to help drive worms up in the ground so they're easier for the woodcock to catch. That may be the answer with chickens too. Puma
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I'm no chicken expert (other than liking them fried), but supposedly it has something to do with keeping their vision steady to help them pick out any threats, such as from hawks or other predators. Movement is more easy to discern when the overall "picture" is steady. Something like that anyway. I think some research has been done on pigeons doing this.
On the opposite hand, some raptors keep their head steady even as their flying or diving, almost as though they had a built-in gyroscope. This help them pick out any movement of prey.
On the opposite hand, some raptors keep their head steady even as their flying or diving, almost as though they had a built-in gyroscope. This help them pick out any movement of prey.