Assessment of Behavioral Predispositions of Selected Chicken Breeds for Use in Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Pilot Study

The growth of interest in alternative forms of animal-assisted therapies (AAT) with chickens creates a need to identify breeds with appropriate behavioral predispositions. This pilot study evaluated the suitability of four breeds of ornamental chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), Silkie bantam, Pekin bantam, Ko-Shamo, and Chabo daruma, for work in chicken-assisted therapy (CAT). Tests simulated an AAT session, assessing human approach and staying in their vicinity, reactions to sudden stimuli, and touch tolerance. A standard tonic immobility test was also performed. Significant interbreed differences were demonstrated (p < 0.05 for most tests). Pekin bantam showed the greatest therapeutic potential. Contrary to expectations, Silkie bantam obtained the weakest results, manifesting the highest fear levels and avoidance of contact. Ko-Shamo and Chabo daruma showed moderate predispositions. The tonic immobility test did not significantly differentiate the groups (p = 0.28), indicating it is not a sufficient alternative to the proposed behavioral tests. According to a seven-point predisposition scale for AAT, Pekin bantam was the breed best predisposed for AAT, while Silkie bantam achieved the worst results (p = 0.04). The results confirm that the breed is significant when choosing chickens for therapy and indicate the need for testing other chicken breeds for therapeutic work.