Linkoping, Sweden - May 2, 2024

A recent study sheds light on the intriguing behavioral differences between male and female chicks, uncovering insights into their play patterns. Published in Frontiers in Ethology, the research explores why male baby chickens engage in play far more than their female counterparts, drawing connections to the behavior of their distant ancestor, the red jungle fowl.

Lead author Rebecca Oscarsson, a PhD student at Linkoping University in Sweden, highlights the significance of this discovery: "Here we show for the first time that there are clear sex differences in the age-related development of play in chickens."

The study focused on various playful behaviors exhibited by chicks, ranging from locomotor play like frolicking and wing flapping to object play such as chasing objects and social play like sparring and jumping. Male chicks demonstrated a higher frequency of both social and object play compared to females, while no significant difference was observed in locomotor play.

The research, conducted using white leghorn eggs from a farm, involved observing the chicks in controlled environments and playpens. These observations provided valuable insights into the developmental stages and preferences of play among male and female chicks.

Dr. Per Jensen, a professor at Linkoping University and supervisor of the study, emphasizes the importance of understanding the adaptive function of play in animal behavior. He suggests that play may serve to prepare animals for challenges they may encounter later in life, with male chicks potentially benefiting more from practicing skills related to physical ability and social tactics.

As the study delves deeper into the neurobiological and genetic mechanisms of play, it opens new avenues for research into the evolutionary significance and underlying factors driving playful behavior in animals.