Thump two round rocks together -> sharp noise
Thump pointy branch against a tree -> dull noise
And chickens aren't using tools.
I challenge you to find two objects of a similar size and cut them into shapes that would produce a sharper sound for the rounder object.
In your example it's obviously the round tree trunk that produces the dull sound.
They're scratching for gizzard stones and food though, with their built-in beak, fwiw