Do chickens have concept of forgiveness??

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sourland said:
'Forgiving' is not a trait ascribed to animals. Neglected/abused animals can learn to trust if treated properly.
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Psst... you and I are animals too... therefore, technically forgiveness is ascribed to animals quite a lot ;)

I recall reading some research on baboons or macaques, as well as kangaroos, I think?... on them forgiving one another after squabbling...

... “forgiveness” in those studies being quantified by behaviors, such as grooming, sharing food, etc.

@Sobek ”forgiveness” is likely the wrong word... as sourland mentioned chickens do seem to learn and relearn to trust though.

In any case to get a real answer to this question, you’d likely have to qualify the world “forgiveness” as a set of behaviors observed in chickens, and understand a bit about how chickens remember things, which is different than the way people and other animals do.

But I’m sure there are a lot of anecdotal stories of chickens learning to trust again, that folks would call “forgiveness”.

It’s an interesting question though, particularly because forgiveness is one of those things that human animals as a whole kinda suck at, lol
 
Animals see the world through patterns. They aren't very good at identifying independent patterns, but patterns as they relate to them, they are experts at recognizing and remembering. Neglect won't be ascribed by chickens to their keeper. That's not to say they won't be miserable, but just that they're more 'living in the present' afterwards. Abused birds absolutely will fear their keeper, and other humans too; maybe even objects associated with their past life. If it is bad enough, they may never be comfortable again; they've recognized humans as a cue for pain and it remains the first and strongest association. Replacing that with the newer, consistent experience of no pain and good things (food, etcetera) can often be successful in changing that pattern of response. Would I call that forgiveness? Nah. Birds ain't philosophers.
 
BantyChooks said:
.... Birds ain't philosophers.
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Unless they hang out with cartoon bears....

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In a manner of speaking, yes. But it is not so much forgiveness as the animal recognizing the previous threatening behavior is no longer present. For example I once had a rooster who needed constant reminders I was in charge. He eventually learned to just run from me instead of challenging me. So I stopped giving the reminders, but he still ran. Eventually he would watch me carefully from a distance and at length stopped running. Hed "forgiven" me for the discipline I gave. Or more accurately, realized I was no longer going to chase him with a broom.
 
Shadrach said:
I don't believe they would.
Forgiveness, it's a strange word. You really need to have some kind of moral judgment in order to forgive.
I don't think chickens have a sense of right and wrong.
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Chickens have their own sense of right and wrong to an extent. Like they consider it wrong to bother them on their best and if you do bug them, it takes a hen a while to "forgive" you.
 

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