Chickens

The domestic chicken or Gallus domesticus was originally descended from red junglefowl, a tropical bird from Southeast Asia. However, beginning around the 4th century BCE, humans began to breed them for food purposes and to survive in virtually every climate. From there they have become the most common and widespread of domestic animals. The average American eats nearly 100 pounds of chicken a year, and almost 300 eggs.

Nomenclature

  • Young chickens that haven't fully feathered in yet are called chicks.

  • Females under a year old are called pullets, and over a year old are called hens.

  • Males under a year old are called cockerels or cocks, and over a year old are called roosters.

  • A group of chickens is called a flock.

  • Housing for chickens is called a coop, where a fenced in area attached to it is called a run.

Basic Numbers

  • 21 days until eggs hatch.

  • 3-4 weeks until sexable (although there are sex-linked varieties).

  • 18 weeks until laying.

  • 16-24 weeks until full maturity.

  • 5-10 years average life span.