Mirror in the coop as a toy...Good idea or bad?

[perchie.girl]

I have Guineas and they are notorious narcissists. Bumper of the Car, sliding glass door etc. I plan on a few mirrors in the run for sure. Mine are still Keets.

 

[wood&feathers]

I don't know why I hadn't looked up "mirror" on here before - it has to be a fascinating subject! Many behavioral scientists think how a (visually oriented) animal responds to mirrors reflects

their intelligence.

You know the thing - birds attacking windows or car mirrors repeatedly, unto exhaustion; primate scientists systematically categorizing the reactions of various monkeys to mirrors; the highly varied reactions of dogs.

Just how many folks have tried this on their chickens?

I used to think my rooster hung out on the porch stoop to get my attention and beg treats. But he does a lot of strutting, flapping and gazing at the window, even when he can't see me.

My favorite dog of all time startled at her first encounter with a mirror as a pup. She stopped, looked, moved toward it and touched her nose to it. She found it fascinating for about 5 minutes. After that she ignored ALL further mirrors.

 

[perchie.girl]

wood&feathers :

I don't know why I hadn't looked up "mirror" on here before - it has to be a fascinating subject! Many behavioral scientists think how a (visually oriented) animal responds to mirrors reflects

their intelligence.

You know the thing - birds attacking windows or car mirrors repeatedly, unto exhaustion; primate scientists systematically categorizing the reactions of various monkeys to mirrors; the highly varied reactions of dogs.

Just how many folks have tried this on their chickens?

I used to think my rooster hung out on the porch stoop to get my attention and beg treats. But he does a lot of strutting, flapping and gazing at the window, even when he can't see me.

My favorite dog of all time startled at her first encounter with a mirror as a pup. She stopped, looked, moved toward it and touched her nose to it. She found it fascinating for about 5 minutes. After that she ignored ALL further mirrors.

I was at the San Diego zoo once and there was a Blue Soda machine in one of the kiosks off the side of the road. it must have been shiny because there was a Peacock male BEATING it into submission ..... over and over and over again.

 

[LiLRedCV]

The only one I'd be concerned about would be my roo. Not sure how he'd react to having his doppelganger appear each time he walked past.

 

[fireguy56]

Hi, I put a mirror in our run area as soon as I got it built. They love to look at themselves.
Erik

 

[FiveHens]

We bought an old medicine cabinet at a yard sale, detached the mirror, and mounted it in the chickens' run. Their initial reactions were hilarious!! Our most aggressive hen, Nutmeg, placed herself squarely in front of it, fluffed up all her feathers, spread her wings slightly, and proceeded to peck the hard glass repeatedly! She then subjected her evil counterpart to a stare-down, which we finally broke up for the purposes of her sanity. The others were more freaked out and confused than aggressive, but they don't really notice it anymore. I odn't know how much the chickens really appreciate, but it sure was good human entertainment!

 

[simplynewt]

What a great idea. I am going to have to incorperate that into my coop.