Scientist discover chickens exhibit Machiavellian tendencies
Jan 6, 2017 0:14:53 GMT -5
Post by J.J.Gibbs on Jan 6, 2017 0:14:53 GMT -5
Chickens exhibit Machiavellian tendencies, scientists discover
Shifty roosters will make food calls to attract mates even when no food is present CREDIT: FARM SANCTUARY
Sarah Knapton, science editor
3 JANUARY 2017 • 4:02PM
Chickens are not as ‘bird brained’ as previously thought.
Scientists have found they are capable of greater logical reasoning than children, have distinct personalities, and even exhibit Machiavellian tendencies.
A review of previous research by scientists in the US, published in the journal Animal Cognition, has concluded that chicken intelligence has been greatly underestimated with the farmyard bird demonstrating thinking skills that are similar to mammals and primates.
They were found to be masters of deceit with males making food calls when no food was present to attract females to the area, and clucking more quietly during courtship behaviour if rivals were present, so as not to alert them to a potential mate.
Chickens exhibit logical reasoning that humans do not acquire until the age of seven CREDIT: FARM SANCTUARY
They also have a sense of numbers, with even newly hatched chicks able to discriminate between quantities, and do simple arithmetic.
“Unlike many other birds, chickens are categorised as a commodity, devoid of authenticity as a real animal,” said Dr Loro Marino, a senior scientist for The Someone Project, a joint venture of Farm Sanctuary and the Kimmela Center in the USA.
“But chickens have the capacity to reason and make logical inferences, a capability that humans develop at approximately the age of seven. They perceive time intervals and may be able to anticipate future events.
Story continues at link
Shifty roosters will make food calls to attract mates even when no food is present CREDIT: FARM SANCTUARY
Sarah Knapton, science editor
3 JANUARY 2017 • 4:02PM
Chickens are not as ‘bird brained’ as previously thought.
Scientists have found they are capable of greater logical reasoning than children, have distinct personalities, and even exhibit Machiavellian tendencies.
A review of previous research by scientists in the US, published in the journal Animal Cognition, has concluded that chicken intelligence has been greatly underestimated with the farmyard bird demonstrating thinking skills that are similar to mammals and primates.
They were found to be masters of deceit with males making food calls when no food was present to attract females to the area, and clucking more quietly during courtship behaviour if rivals were present, so as not to alert them to a potential mate.
Chickens exhibit logical reasoning that humans do not acquire until the age of seven CREDIT: FARM SANCTUARY
They also have a sense of numbers, with even newly hatched chicks able to discriminate between quantities, and do simple arithmetic.
“Unlike many other birds, chickens are categorised as a commodity, devoid of authenticity as a real animal,” said Dr Loro Marino, a senior scientist for The Someone Project, a joint venture of Farm Sanctuary and the Kimmela Center in the USA.
“But chickens have the capacity to reason and make logical inferences, a capability that humans develop at approximately the age of seven. They perceive time intervals and may be able to anticipate future events.
Story continues at link
