I used to think chickens were dumb, and I would call them stupid. Some good chicken people corrected me, and I understand that it was one of those  reflexive things you write when you don’t think about what you are writing. Chickens are very smart about the things they need to be smart about, and this morning, I was there when one of the hens jumped out onto the rung of the coop and looked out at the world. She saw a lot of snow, and sat there musing a bit before returning to the roost. She was quite regal, even imperious about it all and she was happy to pose for me.