Menu Close

Key Information

Chickens

Species 1 species
Diet Omnivore
Length 11 inches (Red junglefowl)
Weight Up to 15 lb
Classification Aves > Galliformes > Gallus
Life Span 3 to 10 years
Conservation Status Not Threatened
Habitat Domesticated

Learning Point

  • Chickens have been domesticated by humans for a long time, and have now become a major part of human life, including their use for meat, eggs and even as pets. There are many different breeds of chicken, but most of their DNA comes from just a few wild species of junglefowl.

Project

  • Draw a rooster and his hens and some baby chicks.
  • Overview
  • Red Junglefowl
Chickens
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Male_and_female_chicken_sitting_together.jpg
Red Junglefowl
Jason Thompson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Location

Places Worldwide

Fun Facts

  • Chickens come from the red junglefowl and have been domesticated.
  • 23.7 billion chickens live on Earth, with 50 billion new ones being born each year.
  • A hen can lay over 300 eggs a year.
  • Mixing the red junglefowl with the grey, Sri Lankan and green junglefowl helps create the different breeds of chicken we see today.

Past Lessons

115 February 14, 2024 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons