Chickens know there is a future

An interesting article on Discoverychannel.com talks of an experiement that proves chickens are aware of the future (or have an awareness of 'later').

It says chickens were taught to push a colored button to get a small amount of food within 2 or 3 seconds, but if they waited 22 seconds, they would get a huge amount of food. Ninety percent of the chickens waited once they realized how it worked. Because of the competition in their environment, it would be normal for a chicken to take what food it sees first (take it before someone else does). But the experiement proved they knew waiting paid off. That shows an awareness of the future and self-control.

Knowing there is a future is an indicator of advanced intelligence. It also means that chickens might worry.

"An animal with no awareness of 'later' may not be able to predict the end of an unpleasant experience, such as pain, rendering it (the pain) all-encompassing," said Siobhan Abeyesinghe, lead author of the study.

"On the other hand, an animal that can anticipate an event might benefit from cues to aid prediction, but may also be capable of expectations rendering it vulnerable to thwarting, frustration and pre-emptive anxiety."

The researchers point out that when an animal is stressed, the anxiety may affect quality and taste of meat. They hope this study will bring about more humane treatment of animals, particularly of animals raised for slaughter.