Chickens are social, funny animals who love socializing with each other, digging up gardens, eating grapes, and (sometimes) cuddling with their best human friends.

Here are seven surprising reasons chickens are awesome … humans can experience these if they choose to adopt a little flock of chickens!

1. They’ll Stand Cutely on Your Back!

Chickens are gregarious, inquisitive animals. As such, they will engage in silly, endearing behaviors on a regular basis. Like standing cutely on your back.

2. Chickens Love Snuggles

If you spend enough time with chickens, they will come to trust you. When that happens, they may hop into your lap for cuddles. Adorable!

3. They Will Freak You Out When They Sun-Bathe

When chickens luxuriate in sunlight, you’ll rush out to make sure your chicken friend is still alive. They think it is hilarious when you do this. You don’t. Chickens sun-bathe for the same reason we need exposure to sunlight – they get vitamin D from it!

4. Playing Second Fiddle to Another Bird

While you should plan on becoming good friends with your adopted chickens, you’ll have to share the spotlight. Chickens are quite social and need chicken friends to thrive. Chickens like to gossip, squabble, make best friends, share food, dust-bathe and sun-bathe together. You won’t want to do all these things with your avian friends.

5. They Know How to Have Fun With Grapes

Chickens love treats, especially grapes. Grabbing a grape, one will race away from the other chickens to savor it in private. Watching chickens playfully chase each other is a great way to start the day.

6. Chickens are (Usually) Excellent  Gardeners

If you need some weeding done, chickens are willing partners in the fight against unwanted plants. Okay, they are actually equal opportunity plant destroyers so keep your favorite flower pots away from curious birds!

7. Just Like People, They Have Funny Quirks 

Living with chickens means appreciating their individual quirks, like when they take naps with their head through openings in fences.

All in-text image source: Animal Place

Lead image source: Wikimedia Commons