Beyond Soothing: Rhythmic Motion Brings Joy to Chicks, Study Finds

New research reveals that passive rhythmic movement not only calms but can also induce pleasurable states in birds, suggesting deeply conserved mechanisms across vertebrates.

New York, NY —– June 16, 2026 – A study published today in Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences unexpectedly found that rhythmic passive movements, such as rocking or carrying, can change the mood of domestic chicks and induce both calming and pleasurable responses. The study, authored by researchers from the University of Trieste and the University of Udine in Italy, explores how rhythmic motion affects the state of animals outside the mammal family.

In mammalian caregiving, slow rhythmic passive motion has long been recognized as a soothing strategy that reduces crying and heart rate while also promoting sleep. Additionally, anecdotal evidence in humans suggests that fast rhythmic motion in babies and young children, such as playfully tossing or rides on swings and roller coasters, can elicit enjoyment and excitement. To investigate if these effects extend to non-mammals and when motion shifts from soothing to pleasurable, the research team observed domestic chicks while being rocked. The use of chicks to study this phenomenon is unprecedented since chicks walk immediately after hatching and, unlike mammals, are never carried by the mother.

During the study, individual chicks were placed in an opaque box attached to a precise robotic arm that simulated rocking and carrying-like motions at various frequencies (fast and slow) and directions (horizontal and vertical). The researchers non-invasively recorded the chicks’ vocalizations to monitor their emotional states. They found that slow rocking and carrying-like movements lowered the number of “contact calls” — the distress sounds chicks make when they experience discomfort or separation. This finding mirrors the well-known soothing effects of maternal carrying observed in mammals.

Crucially, the study also found that specific movements can create a positive experience. When the chicks were exposed to fast horizontal rocking and fast carrying-like movements, for example, they emitted significantly more “brood calls” — a type of vocalization usually made in safe and affiliative situations as an indicator of a pleasurable state.

The findings suggest that the soothing effects of carrying and rocking in mammals may stem from widespread sensitivity that animals have to rhythm and motion. “Our findings expand the functional scope of rhythmic stimulation, positioning it as a regulator of affect with both calming and pleasurable dimensions across vertebrate lineages,” notes the study’s authors. Because chicks do not experience maternal carrying in their natural history, their sensitivity to rhythmic movement is likely deeply conserved across vertebrates, rather than a response to specific parental care strategies.

About Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences is a 200+ year-old multidisciplinary journal that publishes high-impact primary research articles, reviews, and perspectives presenting significant advances across all scientific disciplines. The journal is truly multidisciplinary in scope — welcoming contributions from researchers worldwide in the life sciences, physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, environmental sciences, and the intersections among them. Papers are expected to advance understanding within their field, and, where possible, resonate beyond it. A hybrid journal, Annals NY Acad Sci is committed to open science and encourages authors to choose to support their research via Open Access licenses.

About the Study Authors

The study was authored by Cinzia Chiandetti, Andrea Dissegna, Lorenzo Scalera, and Paolo Gallina. Cinzia Chiandetti is affiliated with the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Trieste.

Contact

Cinzia Chiandetti – cchiandetti@units.it