Ames, Iowa — This seems like something straight out of the plot for a futuristic kids’ movie, but an Iowa State University researcher’s pilot study shows chickens who view virtual reality scenes on screens might be healthier.
Melha Mellata says she knew of studies that showed viewing certain things calmed humans, and decided to see if it worked with chickens by showing them scenes of free-range animals.
She says they had a control group and the group of chickens that watched the virtual reality scenes.
They also tested the microbiota in the gut that helps to digest food and also fight infections.
The virtual reality video also showed the chickens behavior where the other chickens were not pecking each other.
She says there were positive results there, and that combined with the changes in the ability to fight disease is a big plus.
Mellata says they are now trying to raise more funding to continue the study and try to build on what they have already found.
