Chickens and Empathy

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Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Recent studies show that primates, dogs, rats, and even insects such as ants show empathy towards their own species. A species that isn't talked about in class at all are chickens. Could they possibly possess the ability to show empathy to one another in their group? The answer to that question is yes they can! A study by academics at the University of Bristol’s Animal Welfare and Behaviour research group in the School of Veterinary Sciences shows that domestic hens show a clear physiological and behavioural response to their chicks’ distress. the procedure was quite simple. The article states, "When the chicks were exposed to a puff of air, the hens’ heart rate increased and eye temperature decreased. The hens also changed their behaviour and reacted with increased alertness, and increased vocalisations directed to their chicks." 

Jo Edgar, PhD student in the School of Veterinary Sciences, said: “Our research has addressed the fundamental question of whether birds have the capacity to show empathic responses. 

“We found that adult female birds possess at least one of the essential underpinning attributes of ‘empathy’; the ability to be affected by, and share, the emotional state of another.” 

This video vaguely touches on the fact that chickens can sense emotion and have empathy towards others in their flock. Overall I believe with this research we can look at other farm animals and see if animals that are often used for food show empathy towards others in their social group.

References 

“Foundations of Empathy Found in Chicken.” The Poultry Site, 10 Mar. 2011, www.thepoultrysite.com/poultrynews/22167/foundations-of-empathy-found-in-chicken/.

GeoBeatsNews. “Researcher Finds Chickens To Be Smart, Empathetic, And Complex Creatures.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 Jan. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oniCePKJgM.