Photo: from open sources
The pre-dawn “cucarecu” is important for maintaining hierarchy in the henhouse
In the morning, rooster cries are heard all over the world. Have you ever wondered why this happens? But scientists have already conducted several studies and determined the exact cause, writes IFLscience.
Why do roosters crow in the morning?
The predawn “cuckoo” is closely associated with social hierarchy and dominance.
A 2015 study by the National Institute of Basic Biology in Japan found that the highest ranked rooster has priority to be the first to crow at the start of the day.
It has been established that chickens are social animals with a surprisingly strict hierarchy. It is that morning cry that shows who is the leader in the coop. Maintaining rank is essential for harmony in the flock.
The researchers carefully observed a group of four males and noticed a systematic rule in the order of crowing each morning: the rooster with the highest rank always crowed first, followed by the roosters with the second, third and fourth ranks.
Another study came to similar conclusions. At that time, scientists found that “rooster crowing can potentially function as a status signal.”
By the way, crowing has nothing to do with the sun at all. Roosters crow based on their internal circadian rhythm, not external factors. That’s why they crow even in pitch darkness.
