More chickens are raised and killed for food than all other land animals combined.McDonald’s alone kills hundreds of millions of chickens each year for its U.S. restaurants. But if more people knew that chickens are complex creatures who feel pain and distress, they might think twice before eating another nugget.
Here are 10 surprising facts about chickens:
1. Chickens can distinguish between more than 100 faces of their own species. Looks like elephants aren’t the only ones who have a great memory.
2. Chickens know who’s boss—they form complex social structures known as “pecking orders,” and every chicken knows his or her place on the social ladder.
3. Chickens have full-color vision—no color-blindness here!
4. Who likes to sunbathe? Apparently everyone—humans, cats, dogs, and chickens too! You can’t blame them, and they don’t even need sunscreen.
5. Chickens are real sleeping beauties—they experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which means they dream just like we do.
Feeling inspired? Learn more fascinating facts and read more inspiring stories about chickens and other animals in the bestselling book Animalkind.
Help us spread the word about how interesting chickens are by sharing with your family and friends on Facebookand Twitter. If you haven’t already, be sure to join our Action Team to find out how to do more for chickens (and for all animals!).
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“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE
— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind