7 Surprising Facts About Chickens
Are you a chicken expert? Do you really want to know everything about chickens? If you said no to the first question then yes, you do want to read on. If you said yes then, well, wishful thinking. You see, thanks to the internet, it is quite easy to find out about everything on this planet and learn things about chicken that will surprise even the most knowledgeable chicken fan.
When I started this post, I had no idea there was so much interesting information about these birds I’m about to grill. In fact, there are actually quite a few awesome things about chickens, and you may be surprised at just how many! If you’re like me and will soon have some on your plate, it is also good to learn more about the living creature that saved us from certain doom (all those years ago) thanks to its role in providing lifesaving foods.
Chickens are not just dim-witted, flightless birds. They actually rank fourth in animals most likely to dream (after humans, dogs and cats)
You may be surprised to learn that chickens are not just dim-witted, flightless birds. In fact, they actually rank fourth in animals most likely to dream (after humans, dogs and cats). So what do these clucky creatures dream about?
The main reason people think of chickens as being stupid is because of how they react to seeing a new object in their environment. Most other animals will at least become curious or cautious upon seeing something unfamiliar, but chickens tend to react with panic and even aggression; because of this, it’s all too easy for us to assume that they’re simply “dumb” or afraid of everything. However, this is a misconception: most chickens are quite intelligent (though not in the same way that we humans are), and have an impressive memory span – some can memorize up to 100 different faces! When it comes to dreaming, researchers believe that chickens can relate information from their waking life to their dreams (similarly to how we might act out our problems in our sleep), since their brains have evolved enough for them to process abstract concepts like fear and danger. Again, it’s important not just assume that the chicken’s intelligence is on par with ours – but there’s no denying they’re smarter than we give them credit for!
The domestic chicken is descended from the red junglefowl, a relative of pheasants, partridges and quails
First, a little background: the red junglefowl is a beautiful bird, with a vibrant red comb, lustrous green and blue feathers, and a scarlet wattle that hangs down over its beak. The male also has long tail feathers that curve in an elegant arc. It’s not hard to see how the red junglefowl could have captivated ancient peoples—they’re lovely creatures! However, it seems unlikely that they were initially domesticated purely for their beauty.
In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that the domestication of the chicken wasn’t exactly intentional at all. Instead of being bred as pets or show animals like other domesticated birds (think pigeons or peacocks), chickens were probably first kept for their eggs. It just so happened that their attractive coloring allowed them to flourish in their new role as egg-layers and meat producers, so they evolved into the familiar form we know today—the domestic chicken.
A rooster’s comb and wattle help dissipate heat so he doesn’t overheat
You probably already knew that a rooster has a comb and wattle. But do you know what those are for? Both of these features are made up of blood vessels, and they help regulate the rooster’s temperature. When he gets hot, the vessels dilate to bring blood closer to the surface of his skin, where it can radiate heat into the environment. On colder days, they constrict to conserve heat by keeping the blood flow close to his core.
Some roosters have more extreme combs and wattles than others; breeds like Silkies or Frizzles often have very large ones!
Chickens have more bones in their necks than giraffes do. A chicken has about 240 bones in its body (depending on the breed), and some of those bones are in their necks
Chickens have more bones in their necks than giraffes do. A chicken has about 240 bones in its body (depending on the breed), and some of those bones are in their necks.
The average chicken can live for about five to 10 years, but some have been known to live for longer. The longest-living chicken was a hen who died at the age of 16, according to Guinness World Records.
Domestic chickens are descended from red junglefowl, which come from Southeast Asia and India. Chickens were domesticated in the Indus Valley around 3200 BC.
Chickens eat insects, seeds, berries and small plants—they’re omnivores, not just herbivores! They also need grit (like sand) to help them digest their food and keep them regular.
Chickens lay one egg a day on average; they could lay up to between 180 and 260 eggs a year! The number of eggs they lay depends on the breed of chicken.
Chickens have been in human history for at least 8,000 years. That’s why there are so many different breeds — people have been raising chickens for a long time!
Because we’ve been raising chickens for a long time, we’ve been able to domesticate a lot of breeds. The first ones have domesticated in India around 8,000 years ago — back then, people used them for food and sacrifice. Later on, they spread out to other parts of Asia and then into Europe and Africa as well. There are over 150 different kinds!
There’s also another reason why there are so many breeds: humans like to compete in cock fighting, which is when two roosters fight each other while wearing special boots so they don’t get hurt too badly. It might sound cruel but it’s actually quite common all over the world (even today!) because people enjoy watching two very strong animals fight each other! So breeders started making stronger roosters by cross-breeding them with wild jungle fowls called Red Junglefowls – these birds were already very aggressive as well as being athletic enough to run fast in order not to be caught by predators while they were out looking for food during daytime hours or resting at night time.”
While most birds have hollow bones, chickens don’t. This helps them stand up straighter than other birds. It also makes it easier for them to carry heavy egg clutches. But if you drop one out of a plane, it will almost certainly be killed by the fall
When you think of the stereotypical bird, you likely picture a graceful, seemingly weightless creature soaring through the air on wings that look too thin and fragile to support its body. But not all birds can fly, and even among those that can, some are better at it than others. However, they do have one thing in common: hollow bones.
While most birds have hollow bones—which are lighter than solid ones—chickens don’t. This helps them stand up straighter than other birds. It also makes it easier for them to carry heavy egg clutches. But if you drop one out of a plane, it will almost certainly be killed by the fall.
A chicken can run up to 9 miles per hour (14 km/h). A chicken that is startled or sees something suspicious will run away quickly — but they can tire easily
If you’re sitting in your backyard and a chicken runs past at full speed, it’s probably running away from something. Chickens can reach speeds of up to 9 miles per hour (14 km/h), so it may look like they’re flying. As fast as that may seem, chickens can sprint even faster than that — up to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) — but they can’t maintain that speed for long distances.
Chickens do have an advantage over us humans when it comes to running at high speeds: their toes are equipped with spurs called “scales” which provide them traction on the ground [source: Conway].
A chicken’s “fight or flight” response kicks in if the bird is startled or feels threatened, and the bird will run away quickly. If you’re trying to catch a chicken wandering around freely in your yard, make sure you bring your running shoes along!
Best Gifts For Chicken Lovers
For the chicken lover in your life, there’s no better gift than one that is chicken-themed. What do you get for the person who already has a serious collection of feathered friends? We’ve got you covered with some chicken-themed gifts that will make the perfect present for anyone who loves chickens and all things poultry.
Chickens are more than just the birds we eat—they’re friends, too. If you have someone in your life who owns several chickens or even just a couple, they’ll appreciate receiving something that shows they’re valued, not just as someone who provides meat and eggs, but as a caring human being. There are many different types of gifts available to buy online or in stores: clothes like t-shirts with funny sayings on them, kitchen supplies such as plates decorated with colorful chickens on them or cups that look like eggs themselves; toys like stuffed animals shaped after real chickens complete with feathers. And if you don’t know what kind of gift would be best for this special person then why not give them something from our list below – Gifts For Chicken Lovers?
- Chicken Mug – Even if you’re not a big fan of coffee or tea, you can still enjoy your drink of choice in this adorable chicken mug. It even has an egg included on top for extra cuteness! The mug is also available in a variety of colors, like black and white or red, so it makes for a great gift no matter what kind of chicken lover you’re shopping for!
- Chicken T-Shirts – Does your friend or a family member have an affinity for chickens? the shirt is sure to bring joy into their lives while also being functional enough that they can wear it every day without hesitation! Let them show off their chicken love on the daily with this cute tee!
- Chicken Tote Bag – Whether you’re headed to the grocery store or just want something stylish to carry around town, this chic bag will add some flair to your outfit while also being practical enough for
- Chicken Pillow Cover – The pillow cover has a beautiful pattern and design that will really bring out any room’s aesthetic while showcasing its owner’s love of chickens as well.
- Chicken Coop Wall Hooks – These decorative hooks are the perfect way to hang coats, hats, and purses in an office or entryway. They’re shaped like chickens with their wings sticking straight up in the air—so cool!
- Egg Timer – If your chicken enthusiast is also a baker, this egg timer will make their day—the shape is incredibly cute and it helps keep track of how long eggs have been boiling.
- Chicken Themed Clothing: From t-shirts to socks and everything in between, there’s something for chicken lovers of all ages.
- Chicken Jewelry: Who doesn’t want to spice up their wardrobe with some chicken-themed jewelry?
- Chicken Belt Buckle – A belt buckle is an essential accessory for a chicken lover, and this one is one of our favorites. It’s made from sturdy metal and has an antique finish with a vintage feel. The front features an adorable hen with her chicks, while on the backside there’s a rooster looking very proud. This buckle can be paired with any pair of jeans or slacks and would make a great gift for anyone who likes to dress up their outfits with a bit of flair. And since it comes in its own box, it makes wrapping easy too!
- Chicken Wine Glass Charm Rings – These sweet little rings are perfect for marking whose glass belongs to whom at parties or gatherings. Each ring features an image of a different breed of chicken and its name spelled out in bright colors—so not only can you keep track easily, but you can also learn about different types along