"are chickens really smart?"

[ScoobyRoo]

This is our first year with chickens. We have a coop inside of an enclosed run. Right now our chickens are roosting outside(in the run of course) when it gets real cold at night will they go in the coop by themselves "or" do we have to put them in the coop? So, are chickens smart enough to get out of the freezing weather?

 

[Omran]

I don't think that they will go inside bythemselves when it get real dark, because they can't see if they are already on he roost outside, so I will take the roost away from out side in cold season.

 

[mtnhomechick]

We always had to "Start" them. The first few nights we took them in and placed them on perches. Then they got it.

Helps to keep a light on til there perched. At least for starters. They go for light.

Are they smart? Well, when I collect eggs they will stand up in the nesting box to show me what they do or do not have. I think that's kinda smart!!!

Hope this helps,

Mary

 

[quercus21]

Ours just go into the coop at dusk. They actually go in and out of their coop all day. They don't seem to mind the cold, but they don't like the wind. They have a perch in the run and a perch in the coop. We helped them a little the first time with the inside perch, but they are fine on their own now. G.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

That's a great idea!!! We never thought of taking down the outside roost. Some of our chickens do go in the coop, but most of them stay on the outside roost. We are expecting 20 degree weather next week, and we don't want frozen chickens.

 

[chicknmania]

lots of people (myself included) have told tons of "smart chicken" stories on here. Lots of chickens are very smart, others, not so much. But all are smarter than you would think and yes, they're smart enough to go in out of the cold. I'm not even sure that's a question of intelligence.

 

[waynesgarden]

Chickens are extremely smart, when compared to a rock. Moderately bright when compared to the average teenager. Einstein-level smart when compared to a Golden Retriever.

Wayne

 

[PoultryPedia]

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

Chickens are smart in there own chicken ways.... Well sometimes maybe not so smart but there chickens... what can you expect.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Good post Wayne. How come the chickens won't get out of the middle of the road when a vehicle is coming?

Even though we have a lot of yard and gravel driveway they still go down to the road and don't move fast when someone is coming.