Chickens Have Empathy?

Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that domestic hens clearly display that they are aware of distress in their chicks, and respond in a way that shows they are in sync with the chicks when they are suffering. The awareness of their suffering was said to be the underpinning of empathy. Perhaps it is more clear to simply say awareness of emotion is the the foundation of empathy. Semantics aside, what the researchers found probably doesn’t come as a surprise to animal lovers.

One of the researchers said, “Our research has addressed the fundamental question of whether birds have the capacity to show empathic responses. We found that adult female birds possess at least one of the essential underpinning attributes of “empathy”; the ability to be affected by, and share, the emotional state of another.” (Source: University of Bristol)

In a controlled context, and using non-invasive methods, the researchers exposed chicks to a sudden puff of air. Instantly the hens’ heart rate, eye temperature, and vocalizations changed. One researcher said that understanding how factory farm animals react to their peers’ stress is one possible way of improving living conditions there. Chickens living on commercial farms encounter others with foot disorders and broken legs due to overcrowding; they can become distressed by the injuries and unhealthy states of their peers. The study was published online in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

Empathy seems likely not to be restricted to humans, although some believe only humans are truly capable of such understanding. In fact, believing other social animals are lacking in empathy and emotion are often given as justification for using them for food and subjecting them to the abuses of factory farming.

Curiously, those who say animals don’t have empathy, are not using their own.There isn’t any valid reason for selective empathy or only empathizing with humans, when there are millions of other species on this planet. It would be very interesting to hear what the chicken researchers would say about the fact dolphins in Florida helped saved a dog from drowning, although they had no prior relationship with it.

The study was funded by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Image Credit: Andrei Niemimäki

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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KS G.

6:09AM PDT on May 8, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Kat H.

3:13PM PDT on Apr 17, 2012

Of course they do!

Donna H.

9:58AM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Thanks for posting.

Nimue P.

7:26PM PST on Mar 10, 2012

Of course animals have empathy!

Nancy B.

3:24PM PST on Mar 10, 2012

Anyone who has seen a little bird fall out of it nest or make an uncertain flight knows that birds love their off-spring and have empathy. The adult birds will stay near, fly at other animals who are getting too close to the fallen baby. They squawk and make other noises until the little bird dies or escapes. If we want to doubt empathy, we should doubt human empathy. Too many times, we hurt each other and simply don't care.

Laura M.

5:05AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Animals have empathy like humans have, we are only an other species on the earth why would we be the only one to have empathy? Thanks for the article.

Micheal M.

8:16AM PST on Feb 13, 2012

life has value beyond measure
Peace and Love

Katja S.

5:53AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

I despise intensive/battery farming. Anyone who thinks animals are incapable of feeling emotion should watch those clips of adult elephants mourning a dying relative, or read the countless stories of pets saving their owners' lives. Thanks for sharing.

Muriel S.

11:29AM PST on Jan 20, 2012

Many animals have more empathy than human beings.

Robert O.

10:29AM PDT on Sep 22, 2011

Very interesting. Thanks Steve.