Chicken

Gallus gallus domesticus

Animal Class: Bird

Length and Weight: Varies by breed. Some of the smallest like the, Malaysian Serama bantam, are about a pound and only 6-10 inches tall. Some of the larger breeds, like the Giant Brahma chicken, can be 12-18 pounds and 26-30 inches tall.

Lifespan: 5-10 years.

Diet: Omnivore.

Description: Today’s modern domesticated chicken is most likely descended from the red junglefowl, native to Thailand, and chickens are kept as a food source by humans around the world.

Chickens prefer to live in flocks and raise their young communally. Male chickens, roosters, use their loud crow to protect their territory and warn of danger, and hens use clucking sounds to communicate with other chickens.

Although chickens are thought of as prey food, they are fierce defenders of their territory and families. A flock of chickens may mob and drive off predators or even kill smaller predators like foxes.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Our Animals: Laurie, Amy, Jo, Marmee