Did you know that chickens are capable of reasoning, empathy, and even deception?

Chickens often seem like dumb animals to us, most likely because we associate them directly with food. We eat chicken more often than any other meat: according to statistics, the average person in Russia eats almost 35 kilograms of chicken per year. Considering that more than 70 billion chickens are slaughtered on farms around the world every year, it’s no wonder that we often perceive them as a source of food rather than as living beings. However, as scientific research shows, these birds are much smarter than we usually think.

Did you know that chickens are capable of reasoning, empathy, and even deception? People don't even suspect how highly developed chickens' brains are — you'll be impressed. Source: IFL Science. Photo.

People don't even realize how smart chickens are — you'll be impressed. Source: IFL Science

Many studies show that chickens are smarter than people think. These birds are capable of reasoning, empathy, threat recognition, and even deception. They play with each other, care for their chicks, and recognize their owners by sight. Scientists have proven that chickens can perform mathematical calculations, learn new things quickly, and even understand complex concepts such as object permanence — the ability to recognize that an object continues to exist even when it is not visible.

Did you know that chickens are capable of reasoning, empathy and even deception? In good conditions, chickens can live for 15 years. Image source: hozyain.by. Photo.

In good conditions, chickens can live for 15 years. Image source: hozyain.by

Why is this important? The realization that chickens are intelligent creatures can change our attitude to how they live and the conditions in which they are kept. It is known that chickens raised for meat spend their lives in cruel conditions on factory farms. This raises an ethical question about how humanity should treat such intelligent animals.

Let's look at some evidence of the advanced intelligence of chickens and figure out what they are really capable of.

Contents

  • 1 Chickens can communicate
  • 2 Chickens have ways to control themselves
  • 3 Chickens can solve math
  • 4 Chickens have feelings
  • 5 Chickens can lie
  • 6 Chickens remember their owners
  • 7 Chickens have a character
  • 8 Chickens feel pain

Chickens can communicate

It has been scientifically proven that chickens are incredibly sociable creatures. Observations have shown that they are capable of producing more than 20 different sounds, which serve to convey important information about the world around them. For example, chickens greet each other, report on food they have found, express dissatisfaction, and even announce that they have laid an egg.

Chickens can communicate. Chickens can warn each other about danger and the discovery of food. Photo source: vetandlife.ru. Photo.

Chickens can warn each other about danger and the discovery of food. Photo source: vetandlife.ru

In addition, chickens have special alarm signals that they use to protect themselves from predators. One of these signals is intended for those who attack from the air, and the other is for those who threaten from the ground.

Chickens are able to control themselves

In addition to the ability to communicate, chickens exhibit an amazing ability to self-control. In a 2005 experiment, animals were given the opportunity to press a button to receive food. If they pressed the button immediately, they were rewarded with a small portion. However, if they waited an additional 20 seconds, they were rewarded with a larger amount of food.

Chickens have ways to control themselves. Chickens can wait to get more food. Photo source: wolfcollege.com. Photo.

Chickens can wait to get more food. Photo credit: wolfcollege.com

In 90% of cases, the chickens chose to wait for a bigger reward. This proved that they have self-control and can plan their actions for the future.

Chickens Can Do Math

You will be surprised, but chickens have truly incredible mathematical abilities. Studies have shown that they can add, subtract, and even compare.

In one experiment, chickens were shown to be able to solve problems that would take months for small children to master. For example, even very young chickens can win at a game of flipping cups, where you have to keep track of where an object is hidden. Great shell players!

Chickens can do math. Chickens are slightly better at math than children. Image source: Reddit. Photo.

Chickens are slightly better at math than children. Image source: Reddit

In another experiment, scientists hid objects behind two obstacles and swapped them. Chickens that watched these movements were able to count the number of objects and determine which obstacle had more of them. This demonstrates an ability to perform mathematical operations and an understanding of object permanence – the ability to recognize that an object exists even if it is not visible.

Chickens have feelings

Chickens are animals that can show care and empathy, especially towards their chicks.

A 2011 study found that mother hens become anxious and vocalize when they see their chicks upset, suggesting that adult hens have one of the key traits of empathy: the ability to feel.

Chickens have feelings. Chickens have a highly developed parental instinct. Photo source: dzen.ru. Photo.

Chickens have a very developed parental instinct. Photo source: dzen.ru

Another study conducted in 2013 found that chickens protect their chicks not only when they are in danger, but also when they themselves recognize a potential threat, based on their experience.

Read also: Why chickens can't fly like all other birds

Chickens can deceive

Chickens not only show care for their offspring, but are also very cunning animals. For example, roosters may pretend to have found food, making special calls to attract hens, even if this is not the case. Over time, hens begin to understand the deception and stop responding to false signals.

Chickens remember their owners

It has been scientifically proven that hens can recognize up to 100 facesand remember who treated them well and who treated them badly. Research shows that they show affection for their caregivers and react differently to people with whom they had good or bad relationships. This shows that chickens not only recognize their owners, but also know how to be friends with them.

Chickens remember their owners. Chickens have a well-developed facial memory. Photo source: theguardian.com. Photo.

Chickens have a well-developed facial memory. Photo source: theguardian.com

Chickens have a character

Observations show that each chicken has its own unique character. Some of them are friendly and affectionate, while others are stubborn, lazy or wary – it all depends on the specific bird.

Chickens have personalities. Every chicken is an individual. Image source: Live Science. Photo.

Every chicken is an individual. Image source: Live Science

It is also known that chickens not only recognize their relatives, but also perfectly observe the hierarchy in their groups. That is, they know who in the hen house is better not to climb, who is weak, and so on. Chicken society is a separate world with its own rules.

Everyone should know this: What do the markings “C1” and “C2” on eggs mean – which ones are better to buy

Chickens feel pain

Chickens, like all other animals, are capable of experiencing pain. This should be clear to everyone, but we seem to ignore this fact. Realizing this can be shocking and even make you think about switching to a vegetarian diet.

Research shows that pain receptors are located in various parts of their bodies, including their beak, mouth and skin. When these receptors are activated, chickens experience extreme pain.

Chickens feel pain. Chickens are no dumber than other animals, and this is an undeniable fact. Image source: Reddit. Photo.

Chickens are no dumber than other animals, and that's an undeniable fact. Image source: Reddit

Many poultry farming practices, such as beak trimming of newborn chicks, also cause chickens a lot of pain. In addition, due to the rapid growth that they are artificially trained to, they often develop chronic bone and joint diseases.

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We hope this article was informative for you. If you're interested, you can read our article “How long do chickens live if they are not killed for meat.” This article was very popular at one time!


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