Changes in olfactory responsiveness by the domestic chick after early exposure to odorants

Evidence suggests that odorants are important for forming attachments by domestic chicks but there is little evidence that nestlings remember odorants presented soon after they are hatched. A new study investigates whether early exposure to nonaversive odorants alters a chick's responses to natural odours, such as food, feathers and faeces of adult chicken. The study concludes that chicks learn about their olfactory environment during the latter part of incubation and in the early posthatching period.