Observing Chickens?

After analysing various recon reports, a new pattern has been observed. Chickens are often spotted shortly before hostile mob activity starts, not merely during or after.

This is where a new question comes into mind. Are the chickens simply observing... or are they signalling?

There are a few mechanics that make this theory hard to dismiss:

• Egg Laying Time frame: Chickens lay eggs every 5–10 minutes (Minecraft Wiki - Chicken). While this is generally a passive action, it could theoretically be a signalling time frame if other mobs are affected by it.
• Chicken Jockey Mechanic: Baby Zombies are known to have a chance to ride chickens (Minecraft Wiki - Chicken Jockey). This creates a rare but existing phenomenon that is hard to look around. The chickens work together with hostile mobs.
• Mob Detection Mechanic: Hostile mobs are already using player (and sound) detection and other environmental factors to initiate attacks. A stationary animal that simply observes a base could provide extra positional awareness without detection.

Our working theory: A chicken could simply be a passive observer that sticks around structures and players. However, when environmental conditions are suitable (such as nightfall, spawn conditions, or mob proximity), hostile mobs spawn within or walk to particular areas, mostly where chickens have been.