Chicken Intelligence

The mental abilities of animals—particularly birds—have traditionally been underestimated. However, as we take the time to study what birds are really like, their intelligence and complex lives become very obvious.

Here’s what the experts say about chickens:

Dr. Lesley Rogers, Professor of Zoology at University of New England, Australia

“[I]t is now clear that birds have cognitive capacities equivalent to those of mammals, even primates.”

Rogers LJ, The Development of Brain and Behaviour in the Chicken (Wallingford, Oxon, U.K.: CABI Publishing, 1995, p. 217).

Dr. Joy Mench, Professor of Animal Science at University of California at Davis

“Dr. Joy Mench, Professor and Director of the Center for Animal Welfare at the Univ. of Calif. at Davis explains, ‘Chickens show sophisticated social behavior….That’s what a pecking order is all about. They can recognize more than a hundred other chickens and remember them. They have more than thirty types of vocalizations.’”

Specter M, “The Extremist,” The New Yorker, April 14, 2003, p. 64.

Dr. Chris Evans, Professor of Psychology at Macquarie University, Australia

“Chickens exist in stable social groups. They can recognize each other by their facial features. They have 24 distinct cries that communicate a wealth of information to one other, including separate alarm calls depending on whether a predator is traveling by land or sea. They are good at solving problems. ‘As a trick at conferences I sometimes list these attributes, without mentioning chickens, and people think I’m talking about monkeys,’ Mr. Evans said.

Perhaps most persuasive is the chicken’s intriguing ability to understand that an object, when taken away and hidden, nevertheless continues to exist. This is beyond the capacity of small children.”

Grimes W, “If Chickens Are So Smart, Why Aren’t They Eating Us?” New York Times, January 12, 2003.

Dr. Christine Nicol, Professor of Veterinary Science at Bristol University, England

“‘They may be bird brains, but we need to redefine what we mean by bird brains,’ she told the British Association Festival of Science at Leicester University. ‘Chickens have shown us they can do things people didn’t think they could do. There are hidden depths to chickens, definitely.’”

Ananova, “Chickens ‘Not Just Bird-Brains,’” September 11, 2002. http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_668673.html

Dr. Bernard Rollin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University

“Contrary to what one may hear from the industry, chickens are not mindless, simple automata but are complex behaviorally, do quite well in learning, show a rich social organization, and have a diverse repertoire of calls. Anyone who has kept barnyard chickens also recognizes their significant differences in personality.”

Rollin B, Farm Animal Welfare: School, Bioethical, and Research Issues (Iowa State University Press, 1995, p. 118).