Are Chickens Sentient?

Is the question on my mind right now.

Yeah, well.

Yes.

Yes unless they are dead.

Quote from: Yvonne on May 29, 2007, 11:04:38 PM
Yes unless they are dead.

Oh! That is a good distinction there, ^{*nods twice*} yes it is!

May I answer with a question?

I'm not trying to be rude.  But really...  does it matter?

Cindi

Does it matter if something you eat is intelligent and self aware?

Depends on which side of the fork you are on...

^*shrug*

Does it matter if you murder something that is intelligent and self aware because it is doing something you don't like/do not want?

^*shrug*

Humanity is willfully blind to a great number of things because it does such things.



Or in fewer words, yes it matters if you are the chicken

of course they are! they've got different personalities and everything.

Quote from: Kimberly on May 30, 2007, 12:38:58 AM
Or in fewer words, yes it matters if you are the chicken

Really, chickens seem to have a pretty bad time when it comes to humans - if we aren't killing and eating them, we are stealing their unborn children and eating them instead. Hardly seems fair, does it?

Megan

Quote from: MeganRose on May 30, 2007, 12:48:28 AM

Quote from: Kimberly on May 30, 2007, 12:38:58 AM
Or in fewer words, yes it matters if you are the chicken

Really, chickens seem to have a pretty bad time when it comes to humans - if we aren't killing and eating them, we are stealing their unborn children and eating them instead. Hardly seems fair, does it?

Megan

Cattle have it worse........

I'm going to say no, because I've seen no evidence that they are.

Actually, we aren't eating unborn chickens when we eat eggs.  We are eating "chicken periods" since the eggs are unfertilized.  Some people consider that worse though...

Yeah, see, I had this roommate recently, and she got these chickens. Now, a Jainist, or maybe even a Buddhist of some description believes that all these critters is potentially sentient, and you got to give them the benefit of the doubt. (of course, The Buddha in history died from eating too much Bar-B-Q. So, go figure, as per usual)

Only thing is, these animals is awful stupid. They defecate where they eat.

A guy I used to know defaced the KFC billboard when it hit the news what the Colonel was doin to them chickens, keepin em totally cooped up and feeding them their own excrement to fatten em up for the fryer. The slogan went: We Do Chicken Right. It now read, and quite a pro job dude did, too: You Done Them Chickens Wrong.

Now, of course, hearing about this KFC Chicken Holocaust as it were, was appalling. But, on the other hand, after seeing actual chickens in action, it occurred to me that once the Colonel started feeding them their own *stuff*, the diff was subtle enough that they might not even notice this shift. SO: I don't know about this sentience factor, know what I mean?

No doubt about it, they are pretty dumb animals.  Pigs will eat excrement as will dogs.  They are smarter animals than chickens.  We used to have a dog that loved to follow our cat around... ewe!

I think that we should treat the animals we eat with some respect however.  I believe in giving them a decent life while they are around.

Cindi

Well it has been somewhat frustrating, there having been the household edict, that Ya Don't Eat Chickens Round Here.

I Love Chicken. Bar-B-Q'd, Fried, lotsa ways

tmw

Cind, how can ya eat what ya respect. That's awful. Or it's Cannibalism.

Quote from: Zombies on May 30, 2007, 03:35:31 PM
My dictionary thing says that being sentient is being "able to perceive or feel things" (I'd cite it, but I'm not sure how to cite a widget)

I'd imagine that chickens are able to perceive or feel things. I guess.

But that's my point! If they don't care about pooping where they eat, Whence Perception?

   They are sentient.

   My reasoning for eating them is that they are winged freaks as are all birds. I don't know why we tolerate the presence of birds on this planet. I don't trust them. They look scary. And, if I heard right, they don't pay taxes. Birds are always crossing our borders without even pretending to have the proper papers.


   Actually, I agree with Cindi that we should be respectful to them and even treat them humanely even though we still devour them. There's no reason to be extra cruel to other creatures (unless they is birds).

Quote from: RebeccaFog on May 30, 2007, 03:48:24 PM
   They are sentient.

   My reasoning for eating them is that they are winged freaks as are all birds. I don't know why we tolerate the presence of birds on this planet. I don't trust them. They look scary. And, if I heard right, they don't pay taxes. Birds are always crossing our borders without even pretending to have the proper papers.


   Actually, I agree with Cindi that we should be respectful to them and even treat them humanely even though we still devour them. There's no reason to be extra cruel to other creatures (unless they is birds).

Well I tend to agree, let 'em totally free-range and get their chicken ya-yas out, and all that rhythm.
But I think they's made for eatin', is all.

Heh. Well, you guys have to remember that they are pretty stinking stupid NOW. Domestication sucks. That is the politest way I can phrase it to be perfectly honest. If you want to see a smart animal do not look to the poor domesticated slobs.  You also need to remember that smarts is not a measure of sentience, else I've seen humans among others that would not qualify.

^*shrug*

...

Quote from: The Middle Way on May 30, 2007, 03:49:58 PM
But I think they's made for eatin', is all.

An that point of view makes me want to cry.


^*sigh*

Quote from: Kimberly on May 30, 2007, 05:16:04 PM
...

Quote from: The Middle Way on May 30, 2007, 03:49:58 PM
But I think they's made for eatin', is all.

An that point of view makes me want to cry.

Oh good grief. I take it then you won't eat chicken, no way no how.

TMW

If I didn't eat things that were once alive I would not eat at all. So far I've not had much luck at that.

^*shrug*

It's the turning the blind eye that hurts me.

Let me leave it at that.

Quote from: Kimberly on May 30, 2007, 06:00:40 PM
If I didn't eat things that were once alive I would not eat at all. So far I've not had much luck at that.

^*shrug*

It's the turning the blind eye that hurts me.

Let me leave it at that.

   Maybe The Middle Way's eye is blind because it was pecked by a chicken. That would explain why she can be seen roaming the farmlands at every opportunity carrying a spear gun and sporting an eye patch.

   I believe this would explain her preoccupation with finding out if chickens are sentient because she is interested in discovering their weaknesses.