Can chickens have neurological differences?

[faithsbrood]

Hi all,

I recently hatched two chicks - one is around a week older than the other due to the egg being incubated later on. Both are happy and healthy HOWEVER I’ve found the younger one seems to be significantly less developed mentally than the older chick? Granted there is a week difference so ofc the young one won’t be up to speed with the older one - but even in terms of other chickens I’ve raised, this one just seems totally glaekit. Just sits and observes, doesn’t do much for itself, eats when fed but doesn’t have any curiosity or at all, just happy to eat and sleep and do everything sort of aimlessly. Doesn’t even chirp!

Another thing I’ve noticed is the older chick is very protective of the younger one. The younger one managed to get separated from mum the other day and the older chick would NOT eat or stop panicking/crying unless they were together, despite mum offering food constantly. Additionally, older chick is super alert and responsive to new things, makes warning noises and constantly coories into its younger sibling.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence! But I’d love to hear people’s thoughts. Super cute either way.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

The older almost sounds like a cockerel. Breed can be a factor as well. I've definitely have had some chickens way more intelligent than others, and some of those showed that as a chick. Of everything you've described here, there's nothing I see as too much of a concern. It does sound like they've bonded though. Does either of these chicks have other chicks their own age?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Some breeds can be more alert and I’ve had bonded hens be protective. I had a partially blind chicken once who I didn’t even realize had issues until I got rid of her buddy. Her buddy wasn’t particularly protective of her but she was white so I think more visible and easy to follow for the other. I’ve also had hens that just seemed dumb as a bag of hammers. Modern breeds aren’t exactly bred for their foraging and predator avoidance capabilities so I wouldn’t stress it too much. Just don’t separate them if you can help it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

AS Ridgerunner says, with living creatures you don't get guarantees. They are individuals so there is a whole spectrum of behaviors, intellect, etc. We hatched 2 pullets that were, as described above, "Dumb as a box of hammers." We named them Dipstick and Dingbat. Somehow they managed to survive, eventually realized they were chickens and integrated with the flock, figured out the great mystery of gated openings, discovered what roosts are for, etc., and began to act like actual chickens, but it was tough going for a while. If they hadn't had one another they never would have made it.