Homemade chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is one of the the most numerous and important birds for humanswho was domesticated from above 8000 years ago. It is bred to produce eggs, meat, and feathersand also as an ornamental bird.
Chickens play an important role in agriculture and culture of different peoples. They have unique behavior, social structure, and learning abilitywhich makes them extremely interesting to study.
In this article, we will look at origin, classification, body structure, behavior, food habits, life cycle, breeds and significance of chickens for humans.
Origin and history of domestication
🔹 Wild ancestors:
✔ Domestic chickens are descended from bank jungle chickens (Gallus gallus) found in Southeast Asia
✔ Other relatives: Gallus lafayettii (ceylon chicken), Gallus sonneratii (grey chicken in the jungle), Gallus varius (green chicken in the jungle)
🔹 Domestication:
✔ First time domesticated 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia
✔ Spread through trade and migration to Europe, Africa, Middle East
✔ In ancient Egypt, the Kurds were considered sacred birds
✔ In the Roman Empire, they were used for prophecies and combat competitions
📌 Interesting!
In China, chickens are mentioned in sources dating back to 1400 BC.
Scientific classification
🔬 Classification of domestic chicken:
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Birds (Aves)
✔ Row: Partridge-like plants (Galliformes)
✔ Family: Pheasant plants (Phasianidae)
✔ Gender: Gallus
✔ View: Gallus gallus domesticus
📌 Interesting!
On Earth, there are now more than 33 billion chickens "that's more than all the other bird species combined!"
Body structure and physiological features
, External features:
✔ Size: 35-50 cm (depending on the breed)
✔ Weight: 1-6 kg
✔ Color scheme: various colors - from white and black to mottled and gold
✔ Life span: 5-10 years old
🔹 Anatomy:
✅ Comb and earrings - thermoregulation and communication
✅ Beak - short, strong, adapted for picking out grain
✅ Wings - well developed, but most chickens they don't fly well
✅ Paws - three fingers forward, one back, adapted for digging
📌 Interesting!
The heaviest breed of chickens – The Gate, the rooster's weight can reach up to 6 kg.
Behavior and social structure
Domestic chickens – very social birdsthat live in groups with a clear hierarchy.
🔹 Key Features:
✔ The chicken coop has "the order of biting” - dominant chickens eat first
✔ They use 30 + sounds for communication purposes
✔ Chickens can memorize up to 100 faces of people and animals
✔ Detect maternal instinctincubating eggs and protecting chickens
📌 Interesting!
Smoke it They love to playswim in the sand and even listen to music.
Life cycle and reproduction
🔹 Main stages:
✅ Egg - incubation 21 days
✅ Kurenok - first month of life, active growth
✅ Young chicken - up to 5 months, becomes sexually mature
✅ Adult chicken - starts laying eggs (~5-6 months)
🔹 Egg production:
✔ Chickens lay eggs 200-300 eggs per year
✔ Egg production depends on lighting, feed, age
📌 Interesting!
Chickens can laying eggs without a roosterbut they will not be fertilized.
Main breeds of chickens
🔹 By destination:
✅ Egg breeds: Leghorn, Loman Brown (up to 300 eggs per year)
✅ Meat breeds: Corniche, Gate (up to 5-6 kg)
✅ Universal breeds: Kuchinskaya Yubileynaya Street, Orpington
✅ Decorative breeds: Silky, Ayam Tsemani
📌 Interesting!
Ayam Tsemani is a rare Indonesian breed that has black is not only feathers, but also meat, bones and organs.
Food habits and implications for humans
🔹 What do chickens eat?
Зерно Grain (wheat, corn)
Зел Greens (clover, grass)
Бел Squirrels (worms, insects)
✅ Vegetables and fruits
🔹 The main products that a person receives:
✔ Eggs - a source of protein and vitamins
✔ Meat - used all over the world
✔ Feathers and down - used for the production of clothing
📌 Interesting!
Chickens can recognize colors and prefer red and yellow.
Interesting facts about chickens
✔ Chickens remember events for up to 6 months
✔ Can see ultraviolet light
✔ Distinguish the owner from other people
✔ They make unique sounds to indicate danger
Conclusion
Homemade chicken – a unique, intelligent and useful birdwhich accompanies a person for thousands of years. It provides eggs, meat and downIt also plays an important role in agriculture and scientific research.
📢 Chickens are not only a source of food, but also intelligent social creatures that deserve respect and care! 🐔❤️
