puffball Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 (edited) went outside the other day in the pouring rain to check the chickens were alright - they were all standing under the roof keeping dry but had no food there. so i went to the shed to get some and as soon as they heard the door open they all came running out and got completely soaked. i don't know why i bother trying to keep them dry! please change dumb to daft in questionaire Edited May 26, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Mine stand out in the open while theres a monsoon going on so yes-they're dumb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Hmmm, I don't see them as dumb. Daft, yes. Stupid, no. Getting wet isn't as big a problem for them as it is for us! (I admire and envy that quality--I am utterly miserable when wet and cold!) There are indeed some things they need to learn through experience (like how to get into the run without running all the way round it), but who among us isn't on a learning curve? I think it's amazing that they are so clever when their brain can't be any larger than a pea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 thats quite an inspirational speech there...yes alright they aren't dumb they are daft i like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 I voted "no". No flies on my lot.....they are members of Mensa you know!! or should I say "HENsa"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted May 26, 2008 Author Share Posted May 26, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Yup I'm with you Chelsea, mine are fully fledged members of Hensa too they can outwit me , OH & daughter anyday to get their treats, they never miss a trick. Plus they can create & lay an egg daily which is just sooo clever and they don't need a watch but appear to use the sun's position in the sky to tellt them when its best time to dustbathe, have a siesta & when to go to bed etc Mine seem to adore the rain, unlike me, & also cleverly used it today to clean themselves & preen their feathers ( after walking around in the rain they went into the cube run all did a feather cleaning ritual, had some pellets then started walking & foraging again) Ms Tillythinksallchickensareluringusintoafalsesenseofsecurity,they'rejustkiddingandarereallyverycleverchicksreally.ahem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper30 Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 I don't chickens are stupid; we just don't understand their logic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 They live by different rules to us. We hate getting caught in the rain. They don't. They are not so far removed from their jungle fowl ancestors who would have had no choice but to get wet. Interesting beasties come out in the rain so it must increase their foraging options and help vary their diet. I love the sight of a wet chicken. They soon dry off, especially after they have shaken their feathers all over you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted May 27, 2008 Share Posted May 27, 2008 I think chickens are pretty clever - afterall they have us wrapped around those talons. Mine are trained to come running to the sound of a rattling plastic tub .......they know that if they see me in the kitchen to make a racket to remind me that its time to be let out or to get a treat ........they only want us to think they are daft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 (edited) Edited due to double posting Edited May 29, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I think mine are too clever for their own good!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 One of ours is either dumb or very short sighted.. If she ends up in the run on her own, she can't find her way out until one of the others takes pity on her and shows her where the door is.... same if she's outside and the others go in without her.. she just settles down as close to them as she can on the outside of the wire... If we open the omlet netting pen, the other 4 all walk out of the opening that we've made, she sees that they are out and runs directly at the netting.. she has to be caught and put onto the lawn She misses out on treats all the time as she's clumsy. When she drops a grape or mealworm she just can't find it again... She's absolutely adorable though and crouches whilst doing a funny little excited dance whenever we are near and is happy to wander round the garden with my toddler son patting her tail. The others are very bright and have even trained my hubbie to go slug hunting for them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
