Chickens as pets? Cats and dogs may be the more familiar choice but many people find their chickens make wonderful pets. Chickens are intelligent. Studies done at various universities have shown that chickens are able to negotiate a maze and demonstrate the ability to ’think things through’, rather than just reacting off instinct. Another study revealed chickens make choices. When hens were given the opportunity to choose a rooster, they always chose the one that was sharing [called them to food] and courageous [sounded the danger alarm].Some people have told of how their rooster bravely stood in front of his hens to battle with a fox or dog.

This Intelligence and ability to make choices is not the traditional view of how a bird’s brain works. But at the University of New England, work with an African Grey parrot named Alex, showed that he understood questions he was asked. He could answer questions about more than 100 objects and these questions were more than simply naming things. He understood abstract concepts like ‘colour’ and ‘relative size ‘[what is bigger or smaller].He did this at about the same level as chimpanzees and dolphins. This is equivalent to the intelligence of a four year old child.

Another bird, Phillip, likes some people but not others, demonstrating he related to individuals. Magpies, just like chickens, have an alarm call. One bird is watcher [with chooks this is usually the rooster]. The magpies not only give the alarm call but also point their beaks in the direction of the predator. Being a bird, the structure of a chooks brain is similar to other birds, with the same opportunities for intelligence and learning. Chickens love routine and familiar people. They know who cares for them. Egg laying is sometimes affected when owners are away and new people ‘tend to the chooks’. Chickens can remember about 12 other chooks and this memory lasts about 2 weeks.

Chickens have personalities. Just like people and other animals. Some are placid and easy going, rarely getting flustered or flapping. Others are busy and inquisitive. They love exploring and can’t wait to get out fossicking around.

Over time, we have heard some lovely chicken stories. Here is some of them… A rooster named Harry was reared as a chicken in a suburban house. He spent a lot of time indoors. Before ’Dad’ went to work in the morning, ’Dad’ would watch a little TV. As soon as he left Harry would be on the TV chair to watch his favourite show, Sesame Street. If the children took too long to get out of bed he would go to each bedroom, hop on the bed and harass them till they got up.

Another rooster, Tom Tom, a gorgeous silver laced Wyandotte always came indoors in the winter when it was cold. He would lie on his side, on the rug in front of the heater. First one wing up to get warm, then on the other side for the other wing. Stretching exercises in slow motion?

A little forlorn chicken hatched but was lost. He made his way to the kitchen door and cheeped his little heart out. Eventually he was rescued and reared indoors. He was carried around during the day in ‘Dad’s’ beanie to keep warm and became a real people chook.

A group of 3 hens and a rooster were allowed to free range in the garden. However when new seedlings were planted they were given strict instructions ‘No. don’t you go there.’ They would look with disappointment and then return to another part of the garden. When it was time to go back to the pen. ’Mum’ would direct them with hand signals and simple instructions ‘Go on … in you go.. No not that way.. That’s better.. Time to go home'. These hens were able to follow instructions and read hand signals.

Another group of 3 chooks loved to sit on the table on the back verandah to peer through the kitchen window. What is ‘Mum’ cooking? Does that mean yummies for us? Oooh we can’t wait….. The owners of these chooks had to sneak quietly if they got up early. The chooks would hear them and call out to be let out of the pen.

Many of our Wyandottes talk to us. Even as little chicks they are friendly and placid.. When picked up a Wyandotte can have a conversation with you. It will answer your comments with a little cluck and you will be convinced they know what you are saying.. Especially when it is about how beautiful they are!

Chickens as pets? Most certainly. You don’t need to take them for walks. Your friendship is a two way thing. You give them food and love… they give you eggs. They enjoy your company. They know who you are and you can sit and watch them for hours.

This GREAT article was from a recommended site: http://insight.iinet.net.au    Patryc's Purebred Poultry Farm