Chickens:

Chickens are remarkable creatures that have incredible abilities of which most of us are unaware. For example, chickens are able to identify other chickens they are genetically related to, which prevents inbreeding. 

 

Visually they have great memories and have the ability to recognize and recall over 100 human and/or animal faces. On the subject of vision, a chicken's eyesight surpasses that of humans. First of all, they have a 300° range of vision., Their three eyelids cover eyes that have full color vision, employing four cones to allow them to see better than humans. With monocular and binocular vision, they have the ability to find food on the ground and keep watch for prey in the sky. 

 

You might be surprised to learn that chickens are omnivorous. Besides seeds and grain, chickens also eat insects, frogs, and mice! Their excellent olfactory receptors help them to smell food and sense danger. With 767 taste buds, chickens cannot taste sweetness, but they don’t like bitterness. They can sense salt, and are sensitive to sour foods. 

 

While still in the shell, chicks can chirp back to their mama hens--before they even hatch! As a species, chickens talk to each other with complex communication using visual displays, 24 distinct vocalizations to communicate about danger, food, and surprisingly-- how they are feeling. In order to co-exist peacefully, chickens have a pecking order to maintain harmony, and prevent competition. 

 

While chickens can fly for short distances, they are pretty quick on land, running up to 9 miles an hour. A chicken's temperature varies from a high of 113° to a low of 80°F. Hens can be attracted to several characteristics of a rooster, from the size of their comb, wattles, earlobes, and spurs to eye color, neck, and tail feathers. 

 

Chickens live for an average of 10 years, but the oldest living chicken lived to be 22 years old. Chickens bathe in the dirt, which may seem counterproductive, but dust bathing helps control parasites by smothering them, and keeps wings from becoming too oily.  

 

Let's talk gps, and how chickens maintain a trait most notably seen in migratory birds. Chickens have the ability to align with the magnetic compass, which accounts for their keen sense of direction.

 

What do chickens dream of? While that has yet to be determined, they do reach REM sleep just like cats and dogs.  Sweet dreams chickadees!