As we get ready to launch ourselves into the Year of the Rooster, here’s news that could give you new respect for the humble chicken.

Researchers have determined that chickens are smarter than we think, have a good measure of self-control, and might even have Machiavellian tendencies.

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Concerned Saratoga residents putting water out for wildlife but it’s not a good idea A study published this week in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Animal Cognition, revealed that those bird-brained chickens are actually pretty smart, as most backyard chicken farmers have long maintained.

Neuroscientist Lori Marino authored the paper, which compiled the conclusions of several studies showing that chickens demonstrate self-control and self-assessment, which may indicate self-awareness. They also show the capacity for cunning and duplicity, which Marino described as Machiavellian-like social interactions.

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Marino is the executive director of the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that supports basic animal rights.

Among the observations in the paper:

Chickens possess some understanding of numbers and basic arithmetic.

They communicate in complex ways, including referential communication, which may depend upon a level of self-awareness and the ability to take the perspective of another animal.

Chickens have the capacity to reason and make logical inferences. For example, they are capable of simple forms of deductive reasoning, a capability that humans develop at about the age of 7.

They can perceive time intervals and appear able to anticipate future events.

They are behaviorally sophisticated, learning social skills and rules in complex ways that are similar to humans.

Chickens have complex negative and positive emotions, and have shown evidence for a simple form of empathy.

Just like all animals, they have distinct personalities, and are cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally complex individuals.

Although chickens have a reputation of not being the smartest birds in the nest, the studies indicate that they are on par with other highly intelligent species such as dogs, chimpanzees, elephants, dolphins and even humans, Marino said.

Marino and other animal advocates hope that the research into the intelligence and social complexities of chickens will be explored more in behavioral research with chickens in a natural setting, and the results will help to change how we think about and how we treat chickens.

Far too many chickens are being raised in cruel conditions on egg farms, where they spend their entire lives crammed into cages in dimly lit barns. When they reach the age of about 2, they are killed and replaced by younger chickens in order to keep egg production at a maximum.

Raising your own chickens isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested check first with your city for regulations on keeping chickens.

Then learn what you need to do to keep chickens safe and healthy, which would include having a secure coop for them.

Lastly, check with rescue organizations to get your hens. Animal Place, with sanctuaries in Vacaville and Grass Valley, specializes in rescuing farm animals and usually has adoptable chickens.