What is alektorophobia?
Alektorophobia is an intense, uncontrollable fear of chickens. People with alektorophobia have excessive fear and anxiety around roosters or hens. They don’t feel fear around any other animal or bird (ornithophobia). The term comes from the Greek words “phobos,” meaning fear, and “alektor,” meaning rooster.
Fear of chickens is a specific phobia. Like all specific phobias, the focus of the phobia doesn’t present a real threat. Many people with phobias know the fear isn’t rational, but they struggle to control symptoms.
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How common is alektorophobia?
It’s hard knowing exactly how many people have a specific phobia, like alektorophobia (fear of chickens). Many people may keep this fear to themselves or may not recognize they have it. We do know that about 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives, though.
Who might get alektorophobia?
Some people are afraid of chickens for no known reason. But you may be more likely to develop alektorophobia when you:
- Are younger than 10.
- Experienced or witnessed a traumatic event involving a chicken.
- Grew up or live in a rural area.
- Have someone else in your family who’s afraid of chickens.
- Have a family history of other anxiety disorders.
