I've named all 10 of my chickens and know them by their names. Every morning I go to check for eggs, refill their feed and water, and hold each one to give them a check up. It's easier to calm a chicken when you talk to it and so I will pick one up and call it by it's name and talk to it as if it was a human (might be a little weird, but they are my pets and I'm pretty sure everyone has talked to their dog or cat before). I have Betty Lou, Elsa, Pepper, Tater, Tot, April, Dixie Chick, Daisy, Vivica, and my rooster Daryl. I've also named my food as Tot was originally set for the crockpot (she was a mean little chick) but has made her way into my heart ever since she stopped being so mean...she makes me laugh because she thinks shes a rooster and tries to crow. She also runs really funny and has a single white feather on the back of her neck, which is all orange feathers, that flops in the wind so she's here to stay (and I'm gonna use her as a broody hen). I guess people name their chickens because even if they are destined for stew, it's nice to have something to call them instead of just chicken.
I mean Wilbur the big was supposed to be bacon wasn't he?