Abbey Road Girl Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Several recent studies have shown that chickens are bright animals who are able to solve complex problems, demonstrate self-control, and worry about the future. Chickens are smarter than cats and dogs and even do some things that have not yet been seen in mammals other than primates. Dr. Chris Evans, who studies animal behavior and communication at Macquarie University in Australia, says, "As a trick at conferences, I sometimes list these attributes, without mentioning chickens and people think I'm talking about monkeys." You can find the whole fascinating article on the Peta website www.goveg.com./f-hiddenliveschickens.asp. I especially liked the bit about self-control. Ninety percent of the time, chickens given a choice of getting a small amount of food instantly or waiting 22 seconds for a larger portion opted to wait for the larger portion. Clever chooks! And look out for a sweet story about a cockerel sheltering his lady companion under his wing during a storm. I should add that Peta is going too far to say elsewhere on their site that eggs are terrible nutrition because of cholesterol. Bad science! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 the link isn't working for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridgy chooks Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 It works if you take the full stop off the end... www.goveg.com./f-hiddenliveschickens.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flo Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Clever chooks! Should I be putting a sudoku in their run as well as mirrors and perches? Not so sure about demonstrating self control. If I take treats out to the girls I can't move without them jumping up at me! They have even been known to do a flying over my plant pots to get to the treats before the other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 hmm. not sure that my chickens have read this article! Wait for a larger portion? I don't think so. Smart? well, they still don't seem to have mastered the Superglug. And if I throw a treat INTO the run, there's always one that is pacing up and down OUTSIDE, having apparently forgotten that there is a door on the end! Maybe I just have exceptionally dumb chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 hmm. not sure that my chickens have read this article! Wait for a larger portion? I don't think so. Smart? well, they still don't seem to have mastered the Superglug. And if I throw a treat INTO the run, there's always one that is pacing up and down OUTSIDE, having apparently forgotten that there is a door on the end! Maybe I just have exceptionally dumb chickens. I think mine are just like yours Olly....especially with the bit about forgetting where the door is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Yes, I always think my Skylines are not overly endowed in the brains department when they can't find the metre-wide door to the run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 hmm. not sure that my chickens have read this article! Wait for a larger portion? I don't think so. Smart? well, they still don't seem to have mastered the Superglug. And if I throw a treat INTO the run, there's always one that is pacing up and down OUTSIDE, having apparently forgotten that there is a door on the end! Maybe I just have exceptionally dumb chickens. I think mine are just like yours Olly....especially with the bit about forgetting where the door is.... Ditto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 ahh the rooster protecting his elderly hen how sweet 3 of mine are as daft as a brush charge back into the run every time I throw a handful of corn in but Bubbles no chance, she runs me around the garden a few times before she will give in, has learned where to get through my omlet netting and how to get ontop of my compost bin to look for the treat bowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 Oh I don't know - I noticed the other day that mine hung back when I went in their run. They will normally rush the door when I open it, but I had to go into their run a few times without them coming out and after a while I noticed they would still come to the door but stay on the threshold and wait in a line! They still jump up and down like idiots, but they know they are not going to be let out every time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 And if I throw a treat INTO the run, there's always one that is pacing up and down OUTSIDE, having apparently forgotten that there is a door on the end Ditto. Lily enviously watched the others in the garden earlier while she was in the corner of the run, seemingly having forgotten if she turned round and walked a few paces she could go out of the gate and join them! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted May 20, 2008 Share Posted May 20, 2008 My Miss Pepperpot doesn't seem to realise if she is scared and needs to get back into the run quickly that she can turn round and go in! She can be very near the door but instead runs all the way round the run and then into through the door I've seen her do this about four times now. The Gingernuts just make a run for the door but she goes all the way round. Bless - I think she's my favorite. I do think she's not very bright though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 20, 2008 Author Share Posted May 20, 2008 Lots of dunce caps being awarded then? Do know what you mean about they're not "getting it" but I admit to being impressed when I saw wanna-be top chook Toffee scooping pellets out of the Grub onto the floor of the run where the others could peck away at them. It must be more amusing for them to pick their pellets up that way. And even if it's not, I give Toffee credit for thinking out of the box (or Grub). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
