Are they really that stupid?

[horsedirtocala]

I have six 60 day old pullets and I noticed when out free ranging, they are panting but yet have free acess to their coop for fresh water. When I put them up in their coop, they gulp it down. it seems that they do not have the sense to go in their coop for a drink while out.. Is this common?

Karen

 

[sourland]

Intelligent chicken is a oxymoron.

 

[KansasKate]

It is common. I do think they learn, but pullets especially....have a couple of watering stations for them in their ranging area, particularly if it is hot and dry.

 

[donrae]

I've not noticed that, but if you're concerned put some water out where they hang during the day. Doesn't need to be fancy, my birds drink out of the ducks' kiddie pool.

 

[galanie]

They do need lots of water available, not just some in the coop. Put them something out in the shade, like they said, anything will do. An old dishpan works well.

 

[terryg]

When it is this hot it is essential that the chickens have water available where they are. It's not stupidity that keeps them from crossing a hot and dry stretch to get to the coop to drink. They're trying to avoid heat stroke by staying in the area that is safest for them. Also, if the coop is hotter than the shade they have to weigh thirst over heat stroke. If they don't have enough water you'll have serious laying issues, not to mention other health problems. Also, 60 is a lot of pullets. If they have to crowd around a waterer, they'll get hot and stressed just being next to each other. Providing several water stations will make everyone healthier.

 

[Shell1981]

When it is this hot it is essential that the chickens have water available where they are. It's not stupidity that keeps them from crossing a hot and dry stretch to get to the coop to drink. They're trying to avoid heat stroke by staying in the area that is safest for them. Also, if the coop is hotter than the shade they have to weigh thirst over heat stroke. If they don't have enough water you'll have serious laying issues, not to mention other health problems. Also, 60 is a lot of pullets. If they have to crowd around a waterer, they'll get hot and stressed just being next to each other. Providing several water stations will make everyone healthier.

Karen said she has six pullets. All at 60 days of age (2 months). I almost read it as you did. This is a good topic! I enjoy reading the responses, as I'm a newbie to having chickens and will use this advice. It's funny how we confuse stupidity with chicken survival tactics. I would take them for not so smart too, but now I know!

 

[terryg]

Hah! I thought 60 seemed like a lot and I must confess that the thought of 60 poor hot free-ranging birds without enough water upset me. So sorry, Karen, for seeming a bit harsh. Have you ever read Temple Grandin's books? Whenever I think that an animal is stupid, I get at their level and I try to see the world from their perspective. Often my assumptions are upended

 

[janinepeters]

I too have noticed that young ones tend to not return to the coop for food and water as often as adult birds do, when free ranging. I don't see it as trying to avoid heat stroke, because the older ones do return to the coop periodically to tank up, if I don't get the waterer filled in the backyard right away. I kind of think young ones are so full of wonder and curiosity about their world that they forget their needs and don't use good judgment. Just like little kids. But little kids usually have a parent to be sure they eat, drink, and dress properly. If you raised your chicks without a hen, then all they have is you, to make sure they get to the food and water, and keep warm or cool enough. Keep a waterer in a safe, shadey place, somewhere near wherever they like to hang out when free ranging.

 

[marlo1968]

All of my chickens free range all day, every day. They also find water wherever they are, in the creek, in the three waterers (two inside coops), when the water hose is turned on, in a puddle after a rain, even the young ones do this.