Do any of your chickens know their names?

[thecatumbrella]

2 out of 3 in my first flock did. Ironically, the most affection chicken (Mushroom) had no idea. I use to joke whenever I called her that she was thinking, "What's a mushroom?"

In my new bantam flock, only Poppy and Dandelion learned their names. I've tried really, really hard with Hornet and Clover. No dice. Even if it means 1st dibs on a treat, they can't be bothered.

I know they're all capable, but it's interesting how some seem more inclined than others. How about everyone else?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

All three of the olders, especially Trudy, who heard it every thirty seconds or so when she was bullying the Littles. It might be because I imitate their calls(?) - whatever you call the typical noises that they make - along with saying their names. This was a struggle with the EE, who sounds like a worn-out car dragging some trapped metal underneath.

Tessa and Willow (the Littles) are maybe beginning to figure it out. And I noticed yesterday that they no longer shriek and run in terror the moment they see me, so there's that.

 

[kattabelly]

Most of them don't have names but they all answer* to D!ckhead, F***sake or Stopit.

*i.e. ignore me in a more deliberate way

 

[thecatumbrella]

All three of the olders, especially Trudy, who heard it every thirty seconds or so when she was bullying the Littles.

As much as I laughed at this (and you're probably right about the repetition), I have heard that animals have an easier time learning their names if they're 2-syllable and end in an "E" sound. Wondering if there's some truth to that with chickens!

Most of them don't have names but they all answer* to D!ckhead, F***sake or Stopit.

You know, mine will come running if I bongo on their plastic bucket. There's never been treats involved, so it's a huge mystery. Maybe we need to rethink what a name means to a chicken. Yours are clearly invigorated by your frustration!

 

[tlcmurphy]

As much as I laughed at this (and you're probably right about the repetition), I have heard that animals have an easier time learning their names if they're 2-syllable and end in an "E" sound. Wondering if there's some truth to that with chickens!

You know, mine will come running if I bongo on their plastic bucket. There's never been treats involved, so it's a huge mystery. Maybe we need to rethink what a name means to a chicken. Yours are clearly invigorated by your frustration!

Fascinating! Sunny, Penny and Phoebe will come to their names, Buttercup will only come to “Who wants worms?”

 

[OnlySympathy]

My barred rock Star is a chicken genius and is the only one who responds reliably to her name. She responds to both Star and StarStar (said twice as fast as just Star so it doesn’t sound as similar as you would think). My buff Orpington also knows her name pretty well but will ignore it depending on her mood

They all come running when I do the “treat whistle” though

 

[thecatumbrella]

As much as I laughed at this (and you're probably right about the repetition), I have heard that animals have an easier time learning their names if they're 2-syllable and end in an "E" sound. Wondering if there's some truth to that with chickens!

I'm doubling down on this, because I just remembered that Dandelion would mostly respond to her nickname: Dandy.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

- come to think of it, one time that they here their names is when I park my car, just on the other side of the shadowbox-style wooden fence around the yard.

Their hangout under the broadleaf evergreens is just the other side, and I can hear who's there and call their names after they make their own distinctive sounds. They've made a bit of a game of it!

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I'm doubling down on this, because I just remembered that Dandelion would mostly respond to her nickname: Dandy.

It must be somehow instinctive: I call out "Chookies!" at treat time, and your can hear the thunder of their scaly little running feet.

 

[thecatumbrella]

It must be somehow instinctive: I call out "Chookies!" at treat time, and your can hear the thunder of their scaly little running feet.

I am such a sucker for this. How can you not be, when they're so excited!