People force chickens into tiny enclosures in huge groups so they eat away all plants and bugs.
Pecking order becomes about basic access to food instead of first dibs on the good bits. Antisocial habits like cannibalism may also develop.
Then they call chickens stupid.
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Given sustainable area to forage and good treatment, chickens are unbelievably sweet birds. And cleverer than many dog breeds.
But yeah. Chickens stupid. Humans smart.
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People often claim that intelligence isn't something they use to determine the value of other beings.
This doesn't add up with the evidence.
Why is every instance of systematic cruelty - ever seen a chicken plant? - predicated on the idea that the victims are stupid?
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Chickens are definitely smart. I like how the older hens seem to verbally coach the pullets when they lay their first eggs.
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Yeah, very social. They will also talk to you if they form a personal relationship.
We had one cockerel who would consistently beg me for food (I was feeding him preferentially, head honcho tried to keep him from eating).
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The thing is, I'd only see him once a week (or two). His social memory was excellent.