Our recently published case studies page is shedding light on how these birds are used in science in Aotearoa. These incredible birds are not only charismatic but also highly intelligent!

Here are some quick facts about what we've uncovered—both about their remarkable minds and how they're used in research in a misguided attempt to mimic humans and even other animals.  

Did you know:

Chickens are socially intelligent

• Hens are empathetic mothers, reassuring distressed chicks even before they hatch!¹ They can also deduct their own hierarchical status to a stranger by observing their interaction with a flock mate.²
• Roosters use risk management, adjusting their alarm calls based on social rank, mating success, rivalry and hiding options of the birds around them.³

Chickens understand numbers and shapes

• They can count,⁴ have a basic understanding of geometry (can recognise and use geometrical features to complete tasks⁵), and they are better at telling pictures or videos of pigeons apart than pigeons are!⁶

Chickens have self control

• They can weigh the time invested to wait for a later but bigger treat and decide if it is worth the wait or not. This type of self-control is indicative of at least some form of self-awareness.⁷

Chickens in NZ Research

We found papers in New Zealand investigating various aspects of chicken intelligence. We found studies;

• testing if chickens continue a learned behaviour if they stop being rewarded for it (they remember for quite a while, even through different training)⁸
• studying if the chickens behaviour in tests is more motivated by the reward they just got or the one they are expecting next⁹
• testing if more effort of a task influences accuracy of the responses in chickens¹⁰

Flawed attempts to mimic humans and other animals

We also found papers where chickens are used as model organisms to try and mimic humans and other animals to:

• study short-sightedness¹¹
• test a cancer drug¹²
• test the lethal doses of "pest" control bait¹³
• study embryonic heart development¹⁴

We need to do better! You can read more on our website about why using animals to try and model humans is flawed.

Bird Flu and its link to agriculture

Speaking of doing better, did you see our last email about the connection between eating chickens and animal experimentation?

Another layer of this is highlighted by the current spread of "Bird Flu" around the world. We have collected useful information about what agriculture has to do with this and how it is connected to animal testing as well in our recent Bird Flu news article.

We hope this gives you a new appreciation for chickens and their incredible intelligence! If you'd like to learn more about the changes you can make to help chickens, you can read more here.

NZAVS relies on the generosity of our supporters to power our life-saving mahi. Every contribution helps us continue the fight to end animal testing in Aotearoa. You can make a difference by donating here.