Are chickens clever?

[petal]

I rate my chickens to be much more clever than the rabbit. They take themselves to bed at dusk, allow you to pet them, and follow you around. One of them was clucking angrily this morning - such a racket and when I went to investigate I discovered that one of the kids had left the egg laying compartment door open. She was very cross about this so I apologised and she then cooed softly as if to say "you are welcome" and settled down to lay her egg. What adorable creatures they are.

[Nicos]

I love the way my two boys look for food and then call the girls over to eat it- one gave up a nice juicy worm the other day for one of the gals.
They also keep a watchful eye open for predators whilst the gals just munch away .
My male bunnies never did that for their gals!

[Birdie Wife]

Some are more intelligent than others... I have a lovely bantam cockerel called Di who seems to know exactly what's going on. He has a good dose of english game hen in him though, and the game breeds are suppose to be more intelligent. My white Scots Dumpy cockerel is unfortunately quite stupid and can't keep himself out of trouble! Maybe it's my own fault for calling him Wally

[petal]

A cockerel would be a lovely idea. I am moving my chickens to the stables where they will have more room and leave my daffodil bulbs alone! I was considering getting a cockerel to look after them but I won't call it wally! cornflakes is my favourite name for a rooster.

[kirsty b]

I always thought mine were a bit on the daft side, but the little white sussex (bottom of pecking order) is savvy enough to stick close to me when I am feeding them cos she knows I'll give her her food away from the others so she can eat it in peace. Have a photo somewhere of her on the bird table.

[-pat m]

I have a 3 silkies who wander around the garden, separate from some old retired birds that live on a rockery and have loads of hedge and tree cover and then my main flock. I think the silkies are really not very bright and struggle to have any coherent plan for their day, usually because one or other is broody, they spend hours creating one dust bath next to another! The old retired girls on the other hand are canny ve++ you never see them wet only give me the time of day when I have a treat for them and have an amazing routine of where to stand to get the best sun they never get up early and go to bed nice and early . The main flock respond to one thing my white tub which usually arrives in the afternoon containing 1kilo of cooked pasta two tins of sweet corn, nuts and household treats for the 10 minutes I spend with them I am their best friend and they flirt with me if I am dishing out the food- once it has gone they disperse to the four corners and snaffle and scratch of treats.
So Silkies not getting on my pub quiz team – main flock can come along if I have enough money for lots of treats and the retired old gals will come if they feel like it and I will be back home early!

Pat

[Hilary B]

Chickens are not VERY bright, until you compare them with turkeys......

[dozey1]

How can you say that Hilary B, Red my hen know when i come in the run with a fork that she is in for a treat. She stands on theearth as i lift it up. Needless to say it is the early bird who catches the worm...

[MaureenHall]

Of course chickens are intelligent. They chose us to look after them didn't they?

[lynda66]

pingu is intelligent, when i'm playing a block breaking game, she sits on top of the monitor and pecks the blocks .... although i think she thinks the mouse pointer is food

[Hilary B]

They certainly aren't completely stupid, but far behind a dog or cat. Once you get to know a turkey or so, a chicken starts looking like Brain of Britain!

[HayleyB]

His Lordship indoors reckons my girls are "organised" well one is name Ginger and another Babs. Theyve even got plans/drawings on the board in Chookenham