The intelligence level of chickens

[triala]

Just had an experience which makes we really wonder just how dumb some chickens can be. For a little context, I have a 6 year old hen who really knows her stuff, does not run off for treats when we throw them, but waits expectantly by my feet, knowing I will toss some directly down to her. Over the last few days we have been building steps into a bankm as you can see - she supervises quite closely, and will take worms held out in my hand, after checking them first. She is fairly bright.

On the other hand....! I today set up a new little coop as a new nestbox, straw in there so they can make a nest, because thew box was in their area and I had seen a couple of the girls exploring it. An hour later, I go past and notice one girl with her head in looking, but stationary. Curious, I go to have a look. Inside is one of my cockerels, quite happily sitting there! If I know anything, he is not going to be producing any eggs!

 

[Callender Girl]

Maybe he was just jealous of all the fancy new digs his lady friends got?

 

[Chuckie chicken]

Actually, he's very smart! Part of his job as a leader of the flock is to show the girls where to lay their eggs.

 

[Aapomp831]

He is showing the hens where to lay. Chickens are NOT stupid. They are creatures of habit, and being suspicious and wary of new surroundings is how they have survived s as a species.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Chickens are actually REALLY clever

 

[triala]

Fair enough, I feel corrected! I had not thought about him showing them where to go - suppose that does make sense.

 

[aart]

Can be easy to mistake instinct for intelligence.

 

[Aapomp831]

Fair enough, I feel corrected! I had not thought about him showing them where to go - suppose that does make sense.

When we moved our coop out of a mud pit, they refused to accept it for 3 nights. They all lined up where the old coop stairs used to be - talk about creatures of habit

 

[MissE]

I don't know that I would use intelligent as a way to describe chickens. Most of what they do is not based on their ability to reason.

 

[Aapomp831]

I don't know that I would use intelligent as a way to describe chickens. Most of what they do is not based on their ability to reason.

Lol, not the way we would reason. They have their own things going on.