Chickens are stupid??

[jak2002003]

I think that the chickens do learn their 'language' and also some behaviour. I have seen the young chicks watch and copy the adults. Yes they have instincts and pre programmed behaviours, but they learn to modify them for their environment and their flock.

For example, I see with my chickens that the young pick up the 'language' for different predators from the older birds. They all will have a basic innate noise and responds for predators, but each flock has a slightly different call and behaviour. If I put a bird form another place in with my ones I notice it does not always respond the same way as my other birds to their calls. But after a week of 2 it will know what each noise means - like I got mealworm treats, or someone one new is in the garden etc.

Bird do learn song, and calls from their parents, that why the same species can have slightly different songs depending on the region or country it comes from. I breed Zebra doves for their calls. In Thailand we have dove cooing competitions with high prize money. There are many dove farms breeding different classes of singer. The chicks learn the calls form their parents as they grow up. So now the best ones sound very different to the wild ones.

 

[Fur & Feathers]

Well, stupid is sort of a relative term. Yes, chickens have evolved to be good at being chickens but all of the behaviors you described are instinctual behaviors not learned ones.

Sometimes they do things that impress me and they even do a few things I sometimes think people could learn from. But, mine also stand in the rain all day and get caught in the same bush over and over again. And even though she has lived in the same coop for almost two years sometimes my leghorn can't find the door. They have a hard time dealing with change because they are very limited in their ability to learn. They can adapt to new provided routines and can be taught simple tricks.

Are they stupid? Maybe it's not the right word, but they are limited. Compared to the things that dolphins and pigs and monkeys can do - the way that they can learn and adapt - it's really no comparison.

agreed! a very good way of putting it.

chucks are not stupid but they have what is called in the human world a lower mental capacity.
it makes them unable to take in,process and learn from as much information as someone else who has a higher mental capacity.
chickens can be clever little buggers when they want to be.

some of us humans have intelectual disability and have grown up being treated as profoundly inferior.
what is stupid is how some people have to much ego and to much spare time to be puffing their chests out about other beings being inferior,congrats for beating a species who cannot stand up for themselves on an equal footing,bet they feel real proud of selves.

 

[CHICKADEE6]

Chickens are pretty dumb.I watch mine and wonder how they make it everyday.they are also cannibalistic.attacking new chicken in flockk or any injured chicken in flock.its no big feat to corner and catch any of them same way every time. stuff they know is instinct.no way their intelligence is equal to a dog, pig, or ape. They are easy prey because they are not smart.
I love the hens and they are sweet and comical but I'd never consider that species smart by any means.