Have you ever had a group of chickens that's just smarter than the rest?

[furbabymum]

See, that's what confused me. It's the same as everywhere else, except it's the gate. The whole pen is made of snow fence and the gate is just the rest of the roll tucked in between the wooden post and a metal post, so it doesn't even really look different.

Actually, these six are just all around smarter than the rest. They were the first of the current crop to figure out that "here, chick chick chick" means treats. I have 40+ young birds that still don't get that yet.

Send me some smarties. Mine almost died in a storm. In fact one did. Stupid birds!

 

[laughingdog52]

I don't know if this qualifies as smart, but I have 4 Delwares who will untie my shoes and follow me around. They love the ties on my hoodie, too. They were the first to fly out of the box. All the hens will come when they see me because I am the only one who feds them, but if I'm a little late, they will throw themselves against the screen door to open it. (alas-it works). Also, I got to noticing that whenever I take a picture, there is at least one Delaware!

 

[Dmonster76]

I have a six month old modern game pullet who isn't particularly smart but she is the bravest chicken I've ever meet. So far she has taken on an 18 month old Light Brahma, about five times her size, and a rather large alley cat. She will also chase off any non-chicken shaped bird that enters her yard.

 

[Miss Jane]

This is a classic... it is known that chickens are not as stupid as some people think. Animals Australia posted a video showing that chickens can differentiate colours, shapes and pictures. Not sure why your chickens are hanging out at a point which has no different features. Some of mine are silly, but I have a few who are very smart!!!

 

[folgerrd]

My brooder is too tall for them jump out, but they sure try and if they get close I pick them up and re-direct them to their food. Except one, Chocolate-Face. She only jumps up when I am out of her view and then she pecks at a miniscule hole in the mesh and then jumps at it over and over. As soon as I step tp where she can see me again, she runs and pecks at her food. I just find it to much of a coincidence to ignore

 

[marlo1968]

That's hilarious! They still don't get it?! If I say "chick, chick, chick," I better have something

Otherwise, I might lose a limb when the piranhas come stampeding!

 

[marlo1968]

I have a six month old modern game pullet who isn't particularly smart but she is the bravest chicken I've ever meet. So far she has taken on an 18 month old Light Brahma, about five times her size, and a rather large alley cat. She will also chase off any non-chicken shaped bird that enters her yard.

I have a couple of Ameraucanas that do this too, they have seperately taken on a cat and any other bird that comes within range.....funny

 

[NoZolbitty]

One of my chickens, Blush, hopped up on the top step of the porch and clucked to remind me that I was forgetting to putt them up. Upon seeing that I was getting her message she hopped down and was waiting at the bottom of the steps to lead me up there. I guess she though because I was a little late that I forgot where the run was. Cheeky bird! She's the one in my profile pic.

Chickens like many of our animals, are often underestimated by much of humanity. Like our other domestic companions they like a routine. Blush's behavior is a classic example of this. You probably see this with other critters in your household.

 

[S1mba]

Anyone seen anything like this?

I've vaguely heard of the tic-tac-toe playing chickens.

 

[joypeters]

boy, mine are pretty smart, AND pretty brave. they all know exactly where the gate is, and attack it as i approach. they know the sound of the BOSS bag, the top of the yogurt lid and the sound of me tearing the lettuce from 10' away. (i always toss in some lettuce). a couple of them will risk life and limb to get out of the gate when it's open and i've never had them miss a chance to make a run for it.

who knows, maybe they all sit around talking about us like we are the ding dongs. "Boy, our person seems smart, but let me tell you, she sometimes walks right into the gate. The gate I tell you. Not as bright as she looks, that one."