Chickens Think About Tomorrow
According to a recent study, chickens are much smarter than most people think.
Not only can they live in the present, but they also can apparently think about the future.
Chickens do not just live in the present, but can anticipate the future and demonstrate self-control, something previously attributed only to humans and other primates, according to a recent study.
The finding suggests that domestic fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus, are intelligent creatures that might worry.
“An animal with no awareness of ‘later’ may not be able to predict the end of an unpleasant experience, such as pain, rendering it (the pain) all-encompassing,” said Siobhan Abeyesinghe, lead author of the study.
“On the other hand, an animal that can anticipate an event might benefit from cues to aid prediction, but may also be capable of expectations rendering it vulnerable to thwarting, frustration and pre-emptive anxiety.”
Prior studies have found that neuron organization in chicken brains is highly structured and suggests that, like humans, chickens evolved an impressive level of intelligence to help improve their survival.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Animals, Research, Weird & Wacky Facts
5 opinions for Chickens Think About Tomorrow
Jon
Dec 29, 2005 at 11:03 am
I grew up with chickens, so I’m biased, but… of course they’re highly intelligent. (Seriously!) At least, that’s what I always theorized. Rhode Island Reds seem to be the smartest, Bantams not so much.
Rhys
Dec 30, 2005 at 3:57 pm
And here I thought Buff Orpingtons were the geniuses! :)
Jon
Dec 30, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Er, okay… among the chickens I grew up with, the Reds seemed to be the smartest… I can’t speak for Orpingtons ;)
Rhys
Dec 30, 2005 at 10:09 pm
just kiddin’…I don’t know nothin’ ’bout no Orpingtons! Cool about the chickens, though…were you a farm boy? :)
Jon
Dec 31, 2005 at 2:07 am
Not “farm boy” in the traditional sense of the word… we had 5 acres on the edge of the high desert, with a cow and some chickens, and some gardens. I’ll be writing about it in depth during the next couple of months, I think.
‘Course, I feel a teensy bit hypocritical commenting here, considering I’m not at all vegetarian, much less vegan… Any easy way to emote self-consciousness online? :)
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: