And some say "Chickens are not smart"

[BY Bob]

Around a month ago, I had to transfer mom and some babies to a safer cage from a old high-up nest box. I got mom transferred to the cage and went back for a couple handfuls of babies. Our new rooster raised his hackles and gave me a good peck on the calf that went through my pants leg! They weren't even his chicks. He thought I was STEALING BABIES!!

The new rooster's sister laid her first egg in one the normal coop nest boxes and I ate it along with a couple of others for breakfast. I didn't see another egg from her, and figured that she was just a pullet slowly coming into lay.

Yesterday, we discovered her hiding way in the back of one of those old nest boxes, setting on 8 of her eggs! She figured out that the eggs in the coop nest boxes get collected, so she laid a clutch and then set it in the old, rarely checked nest boxes!! I generally only check those old nest boxes every couple of days, and never saw her eggs because she hid them under the straw!

When it comes to food and figuring out how to reproduce, chickens can be really smart!

Not all chickens are this smart. I find the average meat chicken (whether Cornish Cross or a barred meatie) to be really "nice" but also pretty lacking in the intelligence department.

Great stories. Thanks for sharing.

 

[featherhead007]

They are so smart. I once left a bag of mealworms sitting on a work bench outside. Those little stinkers ripped the bag to shreds and ate the whole bag! It’s a wonder they didn’t become super fat and egg bound but they were fine.

Moral of the story: Never underestimate a chicken!

 

[featherhead007]

Moral of the story: Never underestimate a chicken!

Right, Phyllis?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Moral of the story: Never underestimate a chicken!

Absolutely not haha.

 

[The Happster]

I've had hens fly onto my back or into my arms when a cockerel chases them. Smart birds.
Also had two chicks living in my room (overnight only) up until 6 weeks. Smart young cockerel found out that I kept a bag of chick corn on my dresser. That didn't last long. Also came in to them both perching on my bed rail every night.
After a few accidents I was glad when their new shed was built and I could move them outside. They're still the tamest birds ever though.

 

[featherhead007]

I have house guests some nights too! and my birds are three years old. (I like their company)

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

I've had hens fly onto my back or into my arms when a cockerel chases them. Smart birds.
Also had two chicks living in my room (overnight only) up until 6 weeks. Smart young cockerel found out that I kept a bag of chick corn on my dresser. That didn't last long. Also came in to them both perching on my bed rail every night.
After a few accidents I was glad when their new shed was built and I could move them outside. They're still the tamest birds ever though.

I had a pullet do the same thing! My cockerels were chasing her and she jumped right into my arms. (Much to my surprise) and then she stood on my arms, like: Na na na na NA! The cockerels were not pleased XD

 

[Matilda Belle]

Sadly, I've seen many chickens that are smarter than their owners.

 

[featherhead007]

(Quick girls, run for safety!) Makes you feel loved, doesn't it?

 

[featherhead007]

I have two roosters. I use them as alarm clocks. They are usually right on time too.
I keep Jaffar inside, if I want to wake up at 05:15.
And if I need to wake up at 06:10, I have BLU the roo in with me.
Works everyday!