A study by scientists from Linköping
University in Sweden found that chickens can be optimists or pessimists.
University in Sweden found that chickens can be optimists or pessimists.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, the
study set out to determine whether stressful conditions affected chickens’
emotional stability. Researchers led by evolutionary biologist Hanne Løvlie
achieved this by using both behavioral and chemical measures.
study set out to determine whether stressful conditions affected chickens’
emotional stability. Researchers led by evolutionary biologist Hanne Løvlie
achieved this by using both behavioral and chemical measures.
The researchers found that chickens living in
complex environments were much more likely to be optimistic than those living in
simple ones.
complex environments were much more likely to be optimistic than those living in
simple ones.
The study concluded:
The results from the
current study demonstrate that additive stress can have a negative influence on
behavior and cognitive processes in domestic chicks, and that environmental
complexity can buffer against these negative effects. Further, we show that
dopamine activity in the brain is related to judgment biases in young female
chickens.
This isn’t the first study to show that chickens are complex creatures. From
anticipating future events to recalling the trajectory of a hidden object,
chickens are incredibly smart. They even possess self-control, holding out for
a better food reward, and can assess their own position in the pecking order—both characteristics of self-awareness.
anticipating future events to recalling the trajectory of a hidden object,
chickens are incredibly smart. They even possess self-control, holding out for
a better food reward, and can assess their own position in the pecking order—both characteristics of self-awareness.
What’s more, chickens pass down knowledge from
generation to generation and can recognize over 100 individual faces, not only
of their fellow chickens but of humans. They also understand that recently
hidden objects still exist, something beyond the capability of a two-year-old
human child.
generation to generation and can recognize over 100 individual faces, not only
of their fellow chickens but of humans. They also understand that recently
hidden objects still exist, something beyond the capability of a two-year-old
human child.
Chickens are also caring and sensitive
animals. Consider this: Mother hens begin communicating with their chicks before they even
hatch. When the babies are still inside their shells, the mother hen
clucks softly to them and they chirp back. How sweet is that?
animals. Consider this: Mother hens begin communicating with their chicks before they even
hatch. When the babies are still inside their shells, the mother hen
clucks softly to them and they chirp back. How sweet is that?
Chickens also experience joy, loneliness,
frustration, fear, and pain just like the dogs and cats who share our homes. They
even purr when they’re petted like cats!
frustration, fear, and pain just like the dogs and cats who share our homes. They
even purr when they’re petted like cats!
Unfortunately, chickens are one of the most
abused animals on the planet. In fact, chickens make up 98 percent of the land
animals raised and killed for food in the U.S. and lead some of the most
miserable lives. They are subjected to cruelties few of us can even imagine.
abused animals on the planet. In fact, chickens make up 98 percent of the land
animals raised and killed for food in the U.S. and lead some of the most
miserable lives. They are subjected to cruelties few of us can even imagine.
Chickens used for meat are confined in
overcrowded, filthy sheds in near darkness. Bred to grow unnaturally fast, they
endure chronic, debilitating pain and frequently become
immobilized under their own weight. They also suffer organ failure
and other problems because of rapid growth.
overcrowded, filthy sheds in near darkness. Bred to grow unnaturally fast, they
endure chronic, debilitating pain and frequently become
immobilized under their own weight. They also suffer organ failure
and other problems because of rapid growth.
At the slaughterhouse, these innocent animals
are violently shackled upside down, painfully shocked with electricity, and cut
open at the throat—often while still conscious and able to feel pain.
are violently shackled upside down, painfully shocked with electricity, and cut
open at the throat—often while still conscious and able to feel pain.
To make matters worse, not a single U.S. federal law protects animals during their lives
at factory farms, and the law that’s supposed to protect animals at
slaughterhouses, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, doesn’t extend to birds,
leaving chickens with virtually no protection from abuse.
at factory farms, and the law that’s supposed to protect animals at
slaughterhouses, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, doesn’t extend to birds,
leaving chickens with virtually no protection from abuse.
Thankfully, with a wide variety of delicious and humane meat-free options readily
available, everyone can enjoy their favorite flavors without hurting these
precious animals.
available, everyone can enjoy their favorite flavors without hurting these
precious animals.
Ready to eat more plant-based foods? Click here
to get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas.
to get started. And check out our Pinterest
page for thousands of recipe ideas.
