Does Hypnotizing Chickens Really Work?

Hypnotism is a curious phenomenon whereby people or animals fall under a trance, become immobile, or can be moved around and directed like a puppet. There are many types of hypnotism for humans, some of which don’t require much suggestion. Have you ever been driving down the road only to realize miles have elapsed without you realizing it? Animals, too, have ways of falling into a trance. In this YouTube video, people place a chicken on the ground and zombify it with a simple line of chalk.

It’s hard to argue that this little hypnotism trick really does work on chickens, and it’s simple, too. While the chicken appears unaffected after the experience, it raises the question of how and why this happens. Interestingly, it has less to do with hypnotism and more to do with important biological processes. Let’s explore the steps involved in putting chickens into a trance, examine the YouTube video, and see how this phenomenon fits into the natural world.

Chicken Hypnotism

There are several ways to hypnotize a chicken, and most of them are pretty straightforward. You find a chicken and place its body on the ground so that its head is close to the ground, specifically its eyes. From there, you keep the chicken looking at the ground while you draw a line in dirt or with chalk extending away from the chicken’s beak.

If done correctly, you can release your hold on the chicken, and it will remain completely still, staring at the line on the ground. This trance state can last upwards of 30 minutes, with rare anecdotal reports of longer durations. If, at any point, you wish to ‘revive’ the chicken from its stupor, simply clap your hands or gently shove its body. There are several other methods for inducing this trance-like state.

As seen in this YouTube video, these include making an invisible line on their body and mimicking how they sleep. The first method is a little more involved: you hold a chicken on its back, facing up, and then run a finger down from its head along its body. Some farmers use this method to apply medication to their chickens. A simpler, though more temporary, method is sleep mimicry. This involves tucking the chicken’s head under its wing, gently rocking it back and forth, and then placing it gently on the ground. They will usually stay in this trance for several seconds to a few minutes.

Historical Records

Not only has this strange method of enchantment been known about for hundreds of years, but famous figures have spoken of it. Great thinkers have also drawn inspiration from its methods and peculiarities. Friedrich Nietzsche employs a metaphor about chicken hypnotism in his seminal philosophical work “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.”

Ernest Hemingway also describes the quirky process in his non-fiction book, “The Dangerous Summer.” There are also appearances in movies and television shows. Vice President Al Gore even mentioned it anecdotally when he gave an impromptu lecture to an elementary school class.

Tonic Immobility

Chicken hypnotism has undoubtedly fascinated people for a long time, but the reason why it happens time and again is less magical. Chickens are prey animals, so they employ special defenses when faced with a potential threat. When someone places a chicken on the ground and draws a line away from its face, the chicken’s brain goes into survival mode. Under the shrewd assumption of danger, chickens enter a state called “tonic immobility.”

This mode of temporary paralysis is a last-resort effort to go unnoticed. If they look dead, then it’s likely a predator will lose interest in them. The line drawn on the ground captures the chicken’s attention and helps keep it immobile for a longer period. Being held on its side is what initially induces the state of tonic immobility.

Other Examples

There are several other examples of hypnotism in the animal kingdom. Much like chickens, rabbits are prey animals and can be put into a state of tonic immobility if held down in a certain position. This positioning trick also works for frogs and some lizards. Interestingly, it works on some predators, too.

Some cats can enter a trance via “clipnosis,” or by pinching the scruff on the back of their necks together. While they don’t become fully immobile, the effect is noticeable. Certain species of sharks, too, can be made to enter tonic immobility if turned upside down. Besides chicken hypnotism, perhaps the most well-known form of animal hypnotism is snake charming.

When a snake is being charmed, it may appear that a dangerous snake like a cobra is responding to the music, but in reality, it is reacting to the movement of the snake charmer. The cobra slows down and treats the charmer as a potential predator. The cobra responds to the snake charmer’s movements, slowing down and treating them like a predator.