Today's Read Contributor In her latest work, What the Chicken Knows, naturalist Sy Montgomery dives deep into the often-overlooked world of chickens, offering a fascinating look at their cognitive abilities, emotional depth, and social behaviors. Through meticulous research and a compelling narrative, Montgomery challenges long-held assumptions about the intelligence of chickens and other animals, encouraging readers to rethink how they view these creatures.
Montgomery, known for her insightful explorations of the animal world in works like The Soul of an Octopus, turns her attention to chickens, a species that is frequently dismissed as unintelligent or lacking emotional complexity. She presents a counter-narrative, drawing on both scientific studies and her own observations, to reveal a side of chickens that many are unaware of: their ability to communicate, form relationships, and experience a range of emotions.
The book is structured around Montgomery’s personal experiences with chickens, interwoven with scientific findings and interviews with experts. One of the central themes of What the Chicken Knows is the exploration of chicken behavior in their natural environments, from their complex social structures to their surprising problem-solving skills. Chickens are shown to possess remarkable memory and recognition abilities, as well as the capacity to learn through observation, a trait previously attributed to more “intelligent” animals like primates and dolphins.
Montgomery’s research also delves into the emotional lives of chickens, revealing that they experience joy, fear, and even empathy. For instance, chickens have been observed to comfort one another in times of distress, displaying a form of social bonding that suggests a deeper level of emotional intelligence than many may assume. These findings highlight the importance of treating chickens with more respect and compassion, not only as domesticated animals but as sentient beings capable of experiencing the world in complex ways.
What makes What the Chicken Knows particularly impactful is Montgomery’s ability to weave storytelling with science. Her vivid descriptions of chickens’ personalities and behaviors, combined with her rigorous research, allow the reader to connect with the animals on a more personal level. The book encourages readers to reconsider the labels we place on animals, asking us to reflect on the true nature of intelligence and emotion in the animal kingdom.
Through this exploration, Montgomery hopes to inspire a broader cultural shift in how humans relate to animals, promoting a more nuanced and compassionate approach to animal welfare. As we learn more about the inner lives of chickens, we are reminded of the need to extend our empathy and understanding to all creatures, no matter how different they may seem. What the Chicken Knows is not only a celebration of animal intelligence but also a call to action for a more ethical and thoughtful relationship with the natural world.
