Overheard a neighbor tell her kid that chickens are "just dumb birds"...

I was planting marigolds near the run when I heard her say that, and three seconds later my rooster opened the latch on his pen and strolled past her like he owned the place. Made me wonder how many people underestimate what these birds can figure out... has anyone else's flock pulled off something that smart?

3 comments

3 Comments

river_bailey221d ago

Read a study once about chickens understanding object permanence, which is something toddlers learn. Your rooster opening that latch wasn't random luck, he knew exactly how to get to that woman. Folks really need to give these birds more credit.

pat_hall8720d ago

Always wondered if my chickens were secretly smarter than me... considering I've locked myself out of the house more times than I'd like to admit. Maybe the real joke is me trying to outsmart a bird that can solve puzzles while I'm still trying to find my car keys.

lisar1420d ago

But how much of this is just instinct versus actual problem solving? Like when my hen figured out the automatic door by watching the sunset pattern for three weeks before she timed her escape, was that her 'learning' or just good pattern recognition? I get that they can do stuff, but where's the line between a clever trick and actual thinking?