The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is one of the most common domesticated animals with more than 24 billion nationwide. In fact, there are more chickens than any other bird in the world. The chicken is native to Southern Asia and was domesticated in India. However, recent evidence suggests that they were domesticated in Vietnam over 10,000 years ago. The chicken descended from wild fowls, such as the Red Junglefowl and the Grey Junglefowl.
Chickens are omnivores that feed on seeds, as well as lizards and young mice. They can produce as many as 300 eggs a year. Hens tend to be stubborn about where they lay their eggs and often lay their eggs in the same spot. They have a communal approach to incubating the eggs and even take turns raising their young. Some chickens can live as long as eleven years but sometimes as young as five years old.
Fun Chicken Facts
- The world’s oldest chicken lived to be 16 years old.
References
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
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