DO CHICKENS SPEAK?

Abstract

In my over twenty years of teaching agriculture to different levels of students, I have always asked this question in class; Do Chickens Speak? The answers have varied, according to the intellectual level of the class, from undergraduates to post graduate levels. Most times the answers vary from funny to absurd. At other times the class just stares at me like what is this man saying. Those outspoken students in class make attempt to answer by making descriptive signs, funny sounds mimicking the chickens and sometimes just say no, chickens don’t speak. The question is, do chickens really speak indeed? Do they speak but farmers don’t comprehend or understand the language of the chicken? Again we tend to narrow communication to direct distinct syllables of sounds that make sense or the application of vocal expression with cognitive sound. The deaf and the dumb speak, albeit with sign languages and many understand them but we tend not to understand the sign language of the chicken which they express in clear unmistakable terms. Communication is the bedrock of knowledge and understanding to achieve a common goal. It is the means of fostering cooperation between the farmer and the flock to work towards the desired goal. Without it a gap or break in communication that may lead to a colossal loss to the farmer and the flock is created. Believe me, no living thing wants to die or do not want to do well. Inadequate response or misunderstanding between the flock and the farmer leaves the flock with no option but to give up on production and in extreme cases on life.