How can chickens be so smart, yet so dumb?

[Kharmel]

My pullets have been outside for two weeks, this weekend I let them free range with supervision. I am new to chickens and love watching the different personalities but have come to the conclusion that they could not find their way out of a paper bag.

The coop was left open and if a couple went inside, the others panicked and ran along side the run chirping because they couldn't find the very large door! also there is a hole in the outside fence which they didn't have any problems going through but would walk right past it when wanting to get back in. BUT.... the "boss hen" spotted a hawk flying above even though it was very far away. She made a sound and they all ran for their lives straight into the coop without any problems finding the door.

 

[Ruth Ann]

Sorry I have to laugh...
I am also new to chickens but think the same thing!
Good thing I like mine so much...
because they can be a dumb lot at times

 

[3chimama]

Made me giggle!

 

[dawg53]

LOL! What's aggravating to me is I have plenty of freshwater for them, yet after it rains, they'll drink from a nasty old mudpuddle! Grrrrrr!!

 

[Kharmel]

They are so entertaining! I can sit for hours watching them.

What's strange to me is the the boss is the smallest one (leghorn) There are others twice her size but she let's everyone know she's in charge

And...why on earth do they make sure and let the others know when they've found a "prize"? Yesterday, one found a piece of paper and and was celebrating loudly which alerted everyone else to her fantastic find. They all came running and chased her around, another would get it and they would chase that one until the paper was in shreds and they all had a piece. It seems to me that if they wouldn't advertise what they find, they could enjoy it without anyone else knowing

 

[Cocotte]

Mine do stuff like that too. One always manages to get left either inside or outside and then can't remember where the door is

 

[noodleroo]

Oh come on now! I'm sure your chickens are brilliant...just like mine!....

 

[Taisce]

Awwww, so sweet! I think they just love to play.
Today my girls found a frog, Dora (the boss) caught it, and they chased eachother around for ages!
We also got our first egg yesterday and second one today. So excited about it all

 

[SmittenChicken]

The other day all my 12 week old pullets were scratching around right by their coop door. They got startled by a train in the distance, and instead of running through the door right next to them they took a left and made a full lap around the coop first. I wish I'd had a video camera to capture the panicked chicks swarming around the last corner and through the door, it was hilarious. And also really noisy.
I just hope they have a little more common sense if they ever meet a real predator!

 

[gryeyes]

Helicopters overhead do the same to my Littles. The Middles stand stock still, as do all the Bigs, and they wait for the rooster's all clear signal. Meanwhile, the Littles have all scattered everywhich way, regrouped, taken off in convoy form, and bashed into the side of the coop trying to get into it.

Littles: 4 banties, 11 weeks old: Buff Brahma, 2 Silver Sebrights, 1 Black Cochin.
Middles: 3 large fowl: BR, RIR, Welsummer and 1 bantam cochin
Bigs: 8 large fowl hens/pullets and The Rooster