When do chicks become self-aware??

[AltonaAcres]

Just a random question I've been thinking about. At what point as an embryo/chick do they become self aware?

 

[hysop]

I would think when their heart and brain develop.

 

[AltonaAcres]

So day 1 or 2? Are they as aware as they are as adults as they are a day old embryo? And do they become self-aware immediately or gradually? I know there isn't a real answer, I just want opinions.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Do chickens have 'memories' of when they were embryos?

 

[hysop]

I would think it’s the same as humans. Humans are aware very early after conception, but no one I know has any memories of that time. I personally don’t have memories of a year or two years old, although some people do.

Since birds have smaller brains I would think they have limited memories as well from when they were an embryo.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Great insight! So interesting. Anyone else have ideas?

 

[RiverOtter]

If I go by behavior alone, somewhere between 2 months old and never. My thoughts are that self awareness is a basic understanding that one is alive and would like to stay that way.

.... and I once had a full grown Wyandotte rooster jump into a water trough with maybe 3-4 inches of water in it and instead of jumping back out, stood there until he fell asleep and drowned. I felt really bad - I watched him jump in but never thought he'd be too dumb to jump out, and I knew it was empty except for some rainfall so I kept on working ... I found him dead in it the next morning when I went to move it.