'Do Chickens Pass Down Information?' And Other Chicken Questions

Introduction

This is my second article I have written myself. Chickens are known to do many things that we do. Their intelligence is not underestimated, and this is true. These birds have good memories, play games and enjoy hugs from their owners. However some things about chickens have confused scientists since their studies of bird intelligence. There are many chicken facts on animal rights organisation websites such as PETA, Animals Australia, World Animal Protection and Compassion in World Farming. So are the facts real? Let's find out.

Do chickens dream?
This is partially true. It is not definitively known whether chickens dream in the same way humans do, primarily because studying the dreams of animals can be quite challenging. Dreams involve complex brain activity during rapid eye movement sleep, and while chickens do experience REM sleep, we cannot directly access their dreams. Chickens have complex brains and exhibit various behaviors and cognitive abilities, so it's not entirely unreasonable to speculate that they might experience some form of dreaming or mental activity during REM sleep. Still, more research is needed to fully understand the nature of dreaming in animals, including chickens.
What is a pecking order?
The pecking order is sort of a hierarchy for chickens. Each member know their position ladder, from the alpha and beta to the lower ranks of hens. This is true because these birds have this hierarchy to prevent aggression. The pecking order is established through various interactions and behaviors among the chickens, including pecking, wing-flapping, posturing, and vocalizations. Dominant chickens typically have a higher rank and access to preferred resources like food, water, and shelter. Subordinate chickens are lower in the hierarchy and may be subject to pecking or other aggressive behaviors from higher-ranking birds.
Does the hen talk to the chicks while they're hatching?

This is true and false. Hens do not communicate with their chicks while they are still in the egg. Chickens do not have the ability to vocalise or produce sounds while they are developing inside the egg. However, there is some evidence to suggest that there may be indirect communication between a hen and her developing chicks through the eggshell. Research has shown that hens may adjust their incubation behaviour based on cues from the eggs, such as temperature and humidity. They may also make soft clucking sounds while sitting on the eggs, and these sounds could potentially be heard by the developing embryos inside the eggs. Once the chicks hatch, they are able to communicate with their mother through vocalisations and other behaviors. The hen will also use vocalisations and body language to communicate with her chicks and protect them, teach them to find food, and provide warmth and security.

Can chickens navigate using the sun?
Yes, chickens have a remarkable ability to navigate using the sun as a reference point. This behaviour is known as "solar navigation" or "solar orientation." Chickens, like many other birds, can use the position of the sun in the sky as a compass to help them determine direction. Chickens are diurnal birds, which means they are most active during the day, and they often use the position of the sun in the sky as a navigational aid. Here's how it works:

1. Time-based navigation: Chickens have an internal circadian rhythm that allows them to estimate the time of day accurately. They can sense changes in the position of the sun throughout the day. This helps them keep track of time and use the sun's movement as a rough compass.
2. Sun compass: Chickens can determine their orientation based on the sun's position in the sky. For example, they might know that they need to go in a certain direction relative to the sun to find food, water or their coop. This ability is particularly useful when foraging or navigating their environment.
3. Backup navigation: In addition to using the sun, chickens may also rely on other cues like landmarks, the Earth's magnetic field and visual landmarks to navigate. These cues can serve as backups in case the sun is obscured by clouds or other obstacles.

It's important to note that while chickens have this innate ability to use the sun for navigation, they may not always get it right, especially if they are disoriented or in an unfamiliar environment. Their navigation skills can be influenced by various factors, but the ability to use the sun as a reference point is a remarkable adaptation that aids them in finding their way around their surroundings.

Do chickens pass down information?

This is mostly true. Chickens can pass down information from generation to generation through a combination of genetic inheritance and social learning. Chickens have certain instinctual behaviours that are passed down through their genes. These behaviours can include basic survival instincts, such as foraging for food, seeking shelter and recognizing predators. These instincts are not learned but are inherited. Chickens can also learn from observing the behaviors of older chickens in their flock. For example, young chickens can learn where to find food, how to roost and where to lay eggs by watching older members of their group. This type of social learning can be considered a form of information transmission from one generation to the next, although it's not as complex as the cultural transmission seen in some other species. Chickens communicate with each other through various vocalisations and body language. While not as advanced as human language, these forms of communication can convey information about danger, food availability, and other environmental factors. Young chickens may learn to interpret these signals from older chickens in their group.

Some more complex forms of information transmission have been observed in chickens, especially in certain breeds. For instance, some studies have shown that certain behaviours related to food preferences and foraging techniques can be culturally transmitted from one generation to the next within a chicken population. However, this transmission is generally limited in comparison to the transmission of knowledge in more complex social animals like primates or dolphins.

Do chickens like dust baths?

That one is a big yes. This is an important natural behaviour. Chickens need dust baths to remove parasites and pests off their body. The dust particles coat the parasites and suffocate them, reducing the risk of infestations. They will instinctively use the dust bath area when they feel the need to clean themselves and control parasites. Providing this opportunity is a simple but essential aspect of caring for your chicken.


Conclusion

Many of the said facts are real as the animal rights organisations says. A few of these facts are helpful to chicken care. These birds have some behaviours similar to people, but there is limited evidence on that. The chicken is a unique bird that every owner would like to keep during their lifetime. These facts often make people go vegan and know the differences between factory farmed birds and birds in their natural environment. If you have a good fact/s, let me know if I can add it into the article.