Applejack_AppleSpeakin' in fancy! 1 point on 2015-05-21 17:47:54
PETA director Mimi Bekhechi said the name should be changed to “Ye Olde Clever Cocks” because that would “celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are,” according to an article in the Mirror.
While I'd agree that chickens are some of the most abused animals in the food industry, I have to say I find the description of chickens as 'intelligent, sensitive, social animals' a little laughable. I always thought of chickens as remarkably stupid; bird-brained if you will. Cut off their head and they'll run around in circles without it, so simple is their nervous system. Nothing against chickens, but they're not exactly the Einsteins of the avian world.
I am not surprised by either PETA's position or the National Review's coverage of PETA's more asinine antics. We pro-animal rights folks need to worry less about the chickens' feelings and more about their overall welfare.
Crazy_ManManNot a zoo, but a friend. 3 points on 2015-05-21 19:58:18
I have raised quite a few chickens in my day and with the exception of one that had brain damage I find them to be rather intelligent social creatures. They are not intelligent by our standards though as that would be like measuring a fish's intelligence by its ability to climb a tree, but they are certainly not stupid. Chickens have interesting social interactions and can communicate basic information through different clucking and movements.
virtua 2 points on 2015-05-21 22:32:05
We pro-animal rights folks need to worry less about the chickens' feelings and more about their overall welfare.
Taking into consideration animals' feelings is part of caring about their overall welfare, is it not?
As for the article itself, the name change isn't even about the chickens' feelings. It's about humans' feelings, as stated by one of the members of PETA themselves:
Carr added that the name change would “encourage people to rethink the way that we treat chickens and grant these birds the respect and kindness that they deserve.”
Tundrovyy-VolkCanidae 3 points on 2015-05-22 07:09:50
Taking into consideration animals' feelings is part of caring about their overall welfare, is it not?
I think they were talking about projections of human feelings on animals rather than the animals' feelings themselves.
Carr added that the name change would “encourage people to rethink the way that we treat chickens and grant these birds the respect and kindness that they deserve.”
I disagree. They probably serve chicken in that pub, and even if they don't, what's in a name? Changing it, especially one with a historical context that makes it inapplicable to today, is pointless.
virtua 2 points on 2015-05-22 17:59:27
Carr added that the name change would “encourage people to rethink the way that we treat chickens and grant these birds the respect and kindness that they deserve.”
I disagree. They probably serve chicken in that pub, and even if they don't, what's in a name?
Language does have an impact on how we feel and think about things. Take for example the difference between "animal rapist" and "person who has sex with animals." So Carr has a point that a change in name is enough to influence how we think about a specific topic or group, which can lead to people changing their minds on that topic.
However, as I said, the name change isn't even about the chickens' feelings. It's about humans' feelings and how PETA thinks humans should think and feel about chickens.
zoozooz 1 point on 2015-05-23 08:11:26
However, as I said, the name change isn't even about the chickens' feelings. It's about humans' feelings and how PETA thinks humans should think and feel about chickens.
No. It's to get PETA into the news. We can agree or disagree whether the tactics of doing so many publicity stunts is effective, but that's what they decided to do..
virtua 1 point on 2015-05-23 17:35:59
My original statement that the name change wasn't about chickens' feelings but instead humans' feelings was in response to this:
We pro-animal rights folks need to worry less about the chickens' feelings and more about their overall welfare.
and not what PETA's intent is with advocating for this name change.
furvert_tailEquine, large canid 1 point on 2015-05-25 18:11:53
I honestly don't think you have much idea about chickens. I have found mine to be very intelligent at doing chicken things and escape artists.
Applejack_AppleSpeakin' in fancy! 3 points on 2015-05-22 11:01:09
Everything I know about chickens I learned from having them served on a plate. Maybe they're more than they seem, but when it comes to birds, the ones I hold the most respect for are the raptor-like predators and the corvid puzzle solvers. I think it's easier to eat an animal if you don't think very highly of it.
Maybe I need a pet chicken to raise my opinion of the poor bird. Those poofy silkies are awfully cute.
Yearningmice 1 point on 2015-05-22 12:25:14
Yeah, same reason cows and pigs are also "dumb". I have no compunction about eating animals but also try to acknowledge their innate value too.
HeartBeatOfTheBeastHoof and Claw 1 point on 2015-05-22 23:33:38
All animals have a certain level of intelligence, some more then others but I would not call any of them stupid.
PigeondanceBirdies yay 6 points on 2015-05-21 19:23:25
That's pretty harsh to call them stupid. Their intelligence is different then ours but they arnt dumb. Any one who has taken the time to actually bond and build a relationship with a chicken will tell you that isn't true at all. And no, having some chickens in your back yard and feeding and watering them doesn't count as putting in effort to bond. If you kept a dog in your back yard and all you ever did was feed it and clean up after it you wouldn't have much of a connection with the animal. Same with chickens.
I have kept chickens for most of my life, and have always found them to be smart and caring animals. Yes they obviously are ass holes some times and will pick on each other and even kill each other if they arnt housed right. but that's true of most animals we keep as pets. And yes they do run around when their heads are cut off, I would imagine that a human would do a fair bit of twitching as well, I don't see what that has to do with anything let alone intelligence.
Ok rant over, sorry about that. It makes me sad to see this kind of negative talk about a species especially on a zoo site. It just pisses me off when people call them stupid. So many people underestimate birds in general not just chickens and I hate it.
Here's an adorable video of a chicken hug, you should watch it cause it's pretty much the cutest thing ever (and is a good example of how chickens can be affectionate)
Crazy_ManManNot a zoo, but a friend. 6 points on 2015-05-21 20:03:49
I definitely agree. I have raised plenty of chickens in my day and they are definitely not stupid (in fact with all the experience I have in handling different animals, I would say I have yet to meet any species I would call stupid. They all have intelligence in different ways). I also love my chickens and put a great deal of work into trying to connect with them. My cousin can hug his chickens like in that video and to be honest I am a little jealous of that. I am hoping to get that close with my next batch of chickens so I have been babysitting the chicks a few hours a day and I think they are at least starting to warm up to me. I like to watch them drink water, I find it cute.
Crazy_ManManNot a zoo, but a friend. 4 points on 2015-05-21 19:55:22
I doubt anybody really takes PETA seriously. Why would they? I mean the leader of the group is against insulin injections for children because of how it is made but then takes insulin e injections themselves as a 'noble sacrifice.' It takes very much to make me feel even a little sickened by something somebody does, and this so called 'noble' act makes me a little sick to be honest.
HeartBeatOfTheBeastHoof and Claw 2 points on 2015-05-21 22:04:04
PETA doesn't make sense. The more you try to make sense out of it the less sense it makes.
virtua 1 point on 2015-05-21 22:53:52
I mean the leader of the group is against insulin injections for children because of how it is made but then takes insulin e injections themselves as a 'noble sacrifice.'
If, by "leader of the group," you're referring to Ingrid Newkirk who is the president of PETA, then that's not true. It's PETA's former vice-president, Mary Beth Sweetland, who is opposed to insulin injections that have been tested on animals but took them herself because of her diabetes. In a 1992 newsletter published by the Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research (SwAEBR), she said: "[My medicine] still contains some animal products — and I have no qualms about it…. I don’t see myself as a hypocrite. I need my life to fight for the rights of animals.”
According to this short article she wrote (which looks as if it was published in 2013), she no longer takes animal-based insulin:
Because I now use Humulin (a synthetically produced insulin that’s much more appropriate for the human body), I have regained the muscle mass that I lost when I was on animal-based insulin.
Edit: Whoever's down-voting me, mind correcting any misconceptions I might have stated?
HeartBeatOfTheBeastHoof and Claw 1 point on 2015-05-21 22:01:47
Maybe the bar and PETA can comprise and change shorten the name to "The Cocks". The fighting reference would be removed yet the legacy of the name is left intact.
[deleted] 1 point on 2015-05-24 09:31:20
It would be so hilarious if they became the first animal-rights group to speak out for zeta rights.
luvskuvasztwat 0 points on 2015-06-17 20:35:58
peta are all a bunch of kiddiehumpers trying ot cover it up with their BS ideas that make the media 'think they actually care about animals which they dont. pets, hs, spca, and similar "welfare" groups are the reason the kuvasz is still endangered... these groups' rampant S/N nazism is compounding the problem exponentially.
.....
that said chickens are most certainly not retarded. birds have a different sort of intellect than mammals, but just because their mind works differently does not make them dumb.
/r/zoophilia archive
If only South Park was right.
If only! lol
PETA director Mimi Bekhechi said the name should be changed to “Ye Olde Clever Cocks” because that would “celebrate chickens as the intelligent, sensitive and social animals they are,” according to an article in the Mirror.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/418658/peta-demands-bar-change-its-name-because-ye-olde-fighting-cocks-offensive-chickens
While I'd agree that chickens are some of the most abused animals in the food industry, I have to say I find the description of chickens as 'intelligent, sensitive, social animals' a little laughable. I always thought of chickens as remarkably stupid; bird-brained if you will. Cut off their head and they'll run around in circles without it, so simple is their nervous system. Nothing against chickens, but they're not exactly the Einsteins of the avian world.
I am not surprised by either PETA's position or the National Review's coverage of PETA's more asinine antics. We pro-animal rights folks need to worry less about the chickens' feelings and more about their overall welfare.
I have raised quite a few chickens in my day and with the exception of one that had brain damage I find them to be rather intelligent social creatures. They are not intelligent by our standards though as that would be like measuring a fish's intelligence by its ability to climb a tree, but they are certainly not stupid. Chickens have interesting social interactions and can communicate basic information through different clucking and movements.
Taking into consideration animals' feelings is part of caring about their overall welfare, is it not?
As for the article itself, the name change isn't even about the chickens' feelings. It's about humans' feelings, as stated by one of the members of PETA themselves:
I think they were talking about projections of human feelings on animals rather than the animals' feelings themselves.
I disagree. They probably serve chicken in that pub, and even if they don't, what's in a name? Changing it, especially one with a historical context that makes it inapplicable to today, is pointless.
Language does have an impact on how we feel and think about things. Take for example the difference between "animal rapist" and "person who has sex with animals." So Carr has a point that a change in name is enough to influence how we think about a specific topic or group, which can lead to people changing their minds on that topic.
However, as I said, the name change isn't even about the chickens' feelings. It's about humans' feelings and how PETA thinks humans should think and feel about chickens.
No. It's to get PETA into the news. We can agree or disagree whether the tactics of doing so many publicity stunts is effective, but that's what they decided to do..
My original statement that the name change wasn't about chickens' feelings but instead humans' feelings was in response to this:
and not what PETA's intent is with advocating for this name change.
I'm now thinking of that famous scene from The Twilight Zone.
I honestly don't think you have much idea about chickens. I have found mine to be very intelligent at doing chicken things and escape artists.
Everything I know about chickens I learned from having them served on a plate. Maybe they're more than they seem, but when it comes to birds, the ones I hold the most respect for are the raptor-like predators and the corvid puzzle solvers. I think it's easier to eat an animal if you don't think very highly of it.
Maybe I need a pet chicken to raise my opinion of the poor bird. Those poofy silkies are awfully cute.
Yeah, same reason cows and pigs are also "dumb". I have no compunction about eating animals but also try to acknowledge their innate value too.
All animals have a certain level of intelligence, some more then others but I would not call any of them stupid.
That's pretty harsh to call them stupid. Their intelligence is different then ours but they arnt dumb. Any one who has taken the time to actually bond and build a relationship with a chicken will tell you that isn't true at all. And no, having some chickens in your back yard and feeding and watering them doesn't count as putting in effort to bond. If you kept a dog in your back yard and all you ever did was feed it and clean up after it you wouldn't have much of a connection with the animal. Same with chickens.
I have kept chickens for most of my life, and have always found them to be smart and caring animals. Yes they obviously are ass holes some times and will pick on each other and even kill each other if they arnt housed right. but that's true of most animals we keep as pets. And yes they do run around when their heads are cut off, I would imagine that a human would do a fair bit of twitching as well, I don't see what that has to do with anything let alone intelligence.
Ok rant over, sorry about that. It makes me sad to see this kind of negative talk about a species especially on a zoo site. It just pisses me off when people call them stupid. So many people underestimate birds in general not just chickens and I hate it.
Here's an adorable video of a chicken hug, you should watch it cause it's pretty much the cutest thing ever (and is a good example of how chickens can be affectionate)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pdxo1mZeY68
I definitely agree. I have raised plenty of chickens in my day and they are definitely not stupid (in fact with all the experience I have in handling different animals, I would say I have yet to meet any species I would call stupid. They all have intelligence in different ways). I also love my chickens and put a great deal of work into trying to connect with them. My cousin can hug his chickens like in that video and to be honest I am a little jealous of that. I am hoping to get that close with my next batch of chickens so I have been babysitting the chicks a few hours a day and I think they are at least starting to warm up to me. I like to watch them drink water, I find it cute.
I doubt anybody really takes PETA seriously. Why would they? I mean the leader of the group is against insulin injections for children because of how it is made but then takes insulin e injections themselves as a 'noble sacrifice.' It takes very much to make me feel even a little sickened by something somebody does, and this so called 'noble' act makes me a little sick to be honest.
PETA doesn't make sense. The more you try to make sense out of it the less sense it makes.
If, by "leader of the group," you're referring to Ingrid Newkirk who is the president of PETA, then that's not true. It's PETA's former vice-president, Mary Beth Sweetland, who is opposed to insulin injections that have been tested on animals but took them herself because of her diabetes. In a 1992 newsletter published by the Southwest Association for Education in Biomedical Research (SwAEBR), she said: "[My medicine] still contains some animal products — and I have no qualms about it…. I don’t see myself as a hypocrite. I need my life to fight for the rights of animals.”
According to this short article she wrote (which looks as if it was published in 2013), she no longer takes animal-based insulin:
Edit: Whoever's down-voting me, mind correcting any misconceptions I might have stated?
Maybe the bar and PETA can comprise and change shorten the name to "The Cocks". The fighting reference would be removed yet the legacy of the name is left intact.
It would be so hilarious if they became the first animal-rights group to speak out for zeta rights.
peta are all a bunch of kiddiehumpers trying ot cover it up with their BS ideas that make the media 'think they actually care about animals which they dont. pets, hs, spca, and similar "welfare" groups are the reason the kuvasz is still endangered... these groups' rampant S/N nazism is compounding the problem exponentially. ..... that said chickens are most certainly not retarded. birds have a different sort of intellect than mammals, but just because their mind works differently does not make them dumb.