PRIZE-winning research has found chickens speak their own language and have Machiavellian tendencies like humans.
A study by Macquarie University’s Doctor Lynn Smith and Professor Chris Evans portrays chickens as social and intelligent creatures which adjust what they say according to who’s listening.
The research has won the pair one of this year’s Eureka prizes awarded for excellence in science by the Australian Museum.
Doctor Smith says chickens, living in an environment where they compete for food, shelter and mates, can become as cunning as humans.