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chicken

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Also known as Gallus gallus domesticus, chickens, vistas

The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a domesticated form of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), originally native to Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and is one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals in the world. Chickens are primarily kept for their meat and eggs, though they are also kept as pets.

AI overview

The chicken is a domesticated bird that descended from the red junglefowl and was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia. Today, chickens are one of the world's most common domesticated animals, raised primarily for their meat and eggs, though some people also keep them as pets.

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Wikidata facts

Instance of
taxon
Image
Kruppert Cubalaya cropped.JPG
Show 8 more facts
MCN code
0105.94.00
Unicode character
🐔
Commons category
Chickens
heart rate
275
Commons gallery
Chickens
taxon name
Gallus gallus domesticus
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~21 min read

Article

21 sections
Contents
  • Nomenclature
  • Description
  • Reproduction and life-cycle
  • Origin
  • Phylogeny
  • Domestication
  • Dispersal
  • Austronesia
  • Africa
  • Americas
  • Eurasia
  • Diseases
  • Use by humans
  • Farming
  • As pets
  • Cockfighting
  • In science
  • In culture, folklore, and religion
  • Notes
  • References
  • External links

The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a domesticated form of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), originally native to Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and is one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals in the world. Chickens are primarily kept for their meat and eggs, though they are also kept as pets.

As of 2023, the global chicken population exceeds 26.5 billion, with more than 50 billion birds produced annually for consumption. Specialized breeds such as broilers and laying hens have been developed for meat and egg production, respectively. A hen bred for laying can produce over 300 eggs per year. Chickens are social animals with complex vocalizations and behaviors, and feature in folklore, religion, and literature across many societies. Their economic importance makes them a central component of global animal husbandry.

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