How Smart are Chickens? You Might Be Surprised!
How Smart Are Chickens? You Might Be Surprised!
Chickens often get underestimated when it comes to intelligence. Many people think of them as “bird-brained,” but seasoned backyard chicken keepers know better! In fact, studies show that chickens have cognitive abilities comparable to young children and even possess personalities similar to our favorite pets, like dogs and cats.
If you’ve spent time observing your flock, you may have noticed their surprising ability to solve problems, learn new things, and, yes—escape! But just how smart are chickens, really?
Key Takeaways:
- Scientific studies show that chickens are as smart as other pets and even toddlers.
- Chickens can recognize voices, remember up to 100 individuals, and understand that hidden objects still exist.
- Chickens communicate in complex ways, experience a range of emotions, and form strong bonds. They also show signs of self-awareness and the ability to consider others’ perspectives.
- They can learn tasks, solve problems, and even perform basic math.
- Backyard chicken keepers should provide mental stimulation through free-ranging and activities to keep chickens happy and healthy.
A Deeper Dive Into Chicken Intelligence
Let’s explore what science says about the amazing intelligence of chickens and how it relates to your backyard flock.
Sensory Skills
Hearing:
Chickens hear a wider range of sounds than humans can. They even begin communicating while still in the egg! Mother hens and chicks use sounds to bond before hatching, and chicks’ calls encourage their siblings to develop and hatch at the same time.
Sight:
Chickens can focus on both close and distant objects at the same time—a unique feature among animals. They also possess an ability called “object permanence,” which means they know an object exists even when it's out of sight. Even young chicks have shown this ability, a skill humans typically develop around age 2.
Recognition:
Chickens have incredible memories and can recognize up to 100 other chickens. Even in photos, they can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar faces!
Social and Emotional Intelligence
Complex Communication:
Chickens use body language and vocalizations to communicate with each other in ways that we’re still trying to fully understand. Their calls are context-specific, meaning that a single cluck can have different meanings depending on the situation. For example, roosters use different alarm calls for different predators, and their urgency changes based on the threat level to the flock.
Deceit and Perspective:
Believe it or not, chickens can deceive one another! Roosters have been observed pretending to find food to attract hens, showing an ability to understand how others perceive their actions. However, hens learn not to trust roosters that frequently "cry wolf."
Emotional Depth:
Chickens experience emotions such as happiness, fear, and even empathy. Research has shown that hens display distress when their chicks are stressed. Chickens also form close social bonds and exhibit signs of sadness when they lose a companion.
Cognitive Abilities
Learning and Memory:
Chickens are quick learners and can remember what they’ve learned for extended periods. They can be trained to respond to sounds and visual cues, and they also learn by observing others in the flock. For example, chickens can associate certain sounds with positive or negative outcomes, adjusting their behavior based on their predictions.
Problem-Solving Skills:
Contrary to their reputation, chickens are skilled problem-solvers. Many backyard chicken keepers can attest to the creativity chickens use to escape enclosures! Chickens can also navigate mazes and even use tools to access food.
Reasoning and Logic:
One study showed that chickens could use reasoning to determine their social status. When watching two birds face off, chickens could figure out their own place in the pecking order based on the outcome of the confrontation. This type of reasoning is typically seen in children around the age of 7!
Math Skills:
Chickens can understand basic arithmetic, like adding and subtracting small quantities. They can also estimate time intervals up to five minutes.
Navigation:
Chickens have a remarkable sense of direction. They can navigate using landmarks, the position of the sun, and even the Earth’s magnetic field. This explains how chickens can roam far from home yet always return to their coop by nightfall.
What This Means for Backyard Chicken Keepers
If you’re already a backyard chicken keeper, you’ve likely noticed some of these behaviors in your flock. Understanding chicken intelligence can help you create a stimulating environment that keeps your birds happy and engaged.
Consider providing mental stimulation through:
- Free-ranging opportunities: Allowing your chickens to explore will challenge their minds and bodies.
- Boredom busters: Simple toys, treat dispensers, or even hanging vegetables can keep confined chickens entertained and engaged.
Your chickens are smarter than most people think, and their mental health is just as important as their physical well-being. So, next time someone calls your chickens “bird-brained,” you’ll have plenty of evidence to prove them wrong!
Happy chicken keeping!
Rachael at Dine a Chook
References
The information in this article comes from a range of scientific studies. These are references to the original texts if you want to learn more:
The development of social learning in chicks
Thinking Chickens: A review of cognition, emotion and behaviour
This is another review of a range of different studies into chicken intelligence
