Chicks Kinesis Response

Abstract
Chicks exhibit either taxes movement or kinesis response when presented to a stimulus. This is possible due to the fact that the chicks’ nervous system picks up stimuli and translates it into action. When presented to a comfortable stimulus, the chick would respond by moving towards the stimuli showing positive taxes and when exposed to an uncomfortable stimulus, it would respond by showing negative taxes, i.e. it would move away from the stimulus. Negative kinesis is when the chicks’ behaviour to a stimulus is less heightened, thus it is in contentment and shows positive kinesis. This response is exhibited when the chick is presented with a comforting stimulus. When there is a heightened change in the chick’s behavioural response,

The experiment also included a set of sub-experiments. The experiments done were to test the chick’s behaviour in light conditions, dark conditions, at the sight of its image and in the presence of another chick. The apparatus used was, a box which had all sides covered, except the top, which the chick was placed in, for both the light and dark experiments. A lamp was shone through the top opening of the box, which had a chick inside, and for the dark experiment the box was covered. To assess its response to its image, a mirror was placed in front of the chick and lastly for the experiment to test its response to another chick; the chick was introduced to a different chick. All the experiments were repeated with five other chicks to ensure consistency and the results obtained were averaged. The chicks were placed thirty centimetres from the point of the stimulus and the experiments were carried out in a room that was clear of factors that would hinder with the required response by the chicks. With this experiment, the chirps produced by the chicks to the different stimuli was counted over a period of 2 minutes and divided by sixty to find the chirp rate per minute. Therefore the chirps uttered by the chicks were representing the change in behaviour of the

The high behavioural response to the dark light by the chicks is explained by Rajecki D.W. et al. (1974) when he says that when precocial chicks are placed in distressing stimulus they would utter a distress chirp at a rapid rate. This shows that the chick was in discomfort. The low behavioural response by the chicks in the light experiment shows the chick to be contentment, thus its kinesis is of the lowest (Rjeacki D.W et al: 1974).the behavioural response by the chicks to the mirror also places the chick in contentment, thus giving a lowered response in kinesis. This can also again be due to the fact that it’s own image, although does not exhibit positive taxes, it exhibits positive kinesis as it offers a form of comfort to the chick. Adaptation (Paul G. et al. 1985) forms a major part of the chicks lowered kinesis as in the presence of another chick as it can recall its comfort when in the presence of other chicks. This effect gives the chick