Chickens are far from “bird brains.” They can recognize each other by their facial features and they have a diverse repertoire of calls for communication.  In the wild, chickens enjoy foraging for food, taking dust baths, and roosting in trees together at night.  Chickens have the ability to understand that an object, when taken away and hidden, nevertheless continues to exist—this is beyond the capacity of small children.  All birds have cognitive capabilities equivalent to those of mammals, even primates.

Pigs are curious and insightful animals who have intelligence beyond that of an average 3 year old human.  They are friendly, loyal, and affectionate. When in their natural surroundings, they make beds in the sun, and cool off in water or mud.  They enjoy listening to music, playing with balls, and getting massages.  Piglets run to their mother’s voices and can learn their name at 2-3 weeks of age.  Pigs are much smarter than dogs, and better at complex tasks then some primates.

Cows, like humans, have distinct personalities.  Some are friendly and considerate while others are mischievous.  All cows learn from other cows and have impressive memories.  A cow named Blackie broke down a fence in the middle of the night and walked 7 miles to the farm where her calf had been sold.  She was found the next morning, contentedly suckling her calf.  A mother-calf bond is incredibly strong—cows will naturally nurse their young for 8+ months.

Fish are intelligent beings with long-term memories, sophisticated social structures, and can use tools.  Fish have well developed nervous systems—their pain system is virtually the same as in birds and mammals.  Their cognitive powers match or exceed those of ‘higher’ vertebrates, including non-human primates.  For example, Australian crimson spotted rainbow fish learned to escape from a net and remembered how they did it 11 months later.  This is equivalent to a human recalling a lesson learned 40 years ago.  Oxford University research has determined that fish can complete some mental tasks that are too complex for dogs.

Turkeys are social, playful birds who enjoy the company of others.  They relish having their feathers stroked and like to chirp, cluck, and gobble along to their favorite tunes.  According to Oregon State University poultry scientist Tom Savage, turkeys are “smart animals with personality and character, and keen awareness of their surroundings."

Ducks and geese are very loyal to their families and very protective of their partners and offspring.  Often, they will refuse to leave an injured or sick mate or chicks behind, even if winter is approaching and the other geese in the group are flying south. After a partner dies, some geese spend the rest of their lives without a mate; this can be a long time, because geese can live up to 25 years.