What do chickens think?

[kimbymarie]

Hello all, Today's the day I give away 4-6 of my 8 week old chickens. This is very hard for me to do. I worry that they will feel sad and miss their home. My husband keeps telling me to think like a chicken. Well, how do chickens think? Will they be scared when they are taken away. I know they are going to a good home, but I feel that they are use to where they are now and may not be happy.
I have a tendency to think that my pets think like I do. My husband always says to me, Kim they are not human they don't think like us. Anyhow, I hope they will be happy and not sad or scared in their new home.

 

[Buugette]

I think like you... unfortunately, my hubby thinks like yours.

What do Chickens think about... FOOD FOOD and more FOOD. and when are older they think... When is the bringer of FOOD gonna come out of that big box?

D

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Their happy where ever they go as long as they have food!!

 

[Amyable]

Animals think in pictures, not words. I don't think chickens feel sadness, per se. Anxiety in new surroundings, yes. They will adjust quickly. Like Buugette said, their minds are programmed to be based on food, with sides of nests, dust-baths, and predator avoidance.

 

[ReikiStar]

Kim, I'm just like you and you're right to consider their feelings. Humans like to tell themselves animals are different from us only because we don't understand them...and it makes it easier to wear, hunt and eat them I suppose.

I'm sure your chicks will be stressed at first, just as they were if you bought them as chicks (or did you hatch them?). But after a few days of getting used to the new environment, they'll adjust. Two things are on their side: 1) They are together. They are with familiar/friendly chicks. We learned just last night how attached they can become to their mates. Our 4 week old Blue Sumatra [named Viola] was whining (as usual), I thought she might be cold since they were moved for cleaning out the brooder. We have 3 day old Sumatras so I put her in with them, since they had the lamp. She quieted down and the 3 little ones gathered around her. It was adorable. Viola was so quiet and gentle with them, since she's been a slow grower, we thought we'd leave her with them. NOPE! We put her and the 3 babies back in their section, separated from the other chicks by mesh. Then we put her mates in their section. The moment we put them down and Viola saw them, she RAN into the mesh, she was determined to get back with them. So they do make friends and have attachments. (We did put Viola back with her buddies).

2) You said they were going to a good home. Once they are accustomed to the sights, sounds, new food and water, they'll be just fine. It happens pretty quickly with the young ones.

Thank you for being such a big hearted Chick-mom!

~V!

 

[kimbymarie]

Hi and thanks for the reply's. Makes me feel better. Maybe I'll send them along with a nice treat to eat. I appreciate your support on a sad day for me. Thank you so much.