Chickens

Modern Chickens are believed to be the offspring of the wild Red Junglefowl and the Grey Junglefowl, both species found in India. Today, the Chicken is the most widely spread domestic fowl, and there is hardly an economy that could imagine itself without chicken industry. Today, Chickens are used as a valuable source of meat and eggs.

Due to its relatively low cost and high food value, Chicken meat is the most commonly used poultry meat. There are large numbers of dishes, in which Chicken meat and eggs are used. Besides, Chickens are relatively easy to maintain, since they feed on grains that are readily available on the market. Chickens are transportable fowl, which also contributes to their economic value.

Domestic chickens are easy to manage, because they do not fly for long distances. Some species show greater flying abilities, but breeders usually practice wing-clipping in order to prevent their birds from flying away. Chickens are gregarious birds, and they move in flocks and usually form hierarchies. Flocks are usually governed by dominant chickens, privileged to freely access food and choose spots for laying eggs. Hens tend to choose particular laying locations, which they use throughout lifetime.

Chickens can also be used as pets or for educational purposes. However, there are zones, where keeping Chickens is not recommended or even banned for sanitary reasons. Chickens are mostly kept in the countryside, where they enjoy propitious and safe conditions for feeding, laying and brooding. Chickens require protection against wild predators – foxes, dogs, cats, raccoons, etc. Coops should be placed safely away from places frequented by predators and must be constructed in such a way as to prevent intrusion.

In the wild, Chickens may live up to ten years. Commercial Chickens are usually killed right after their laying period is over or when their meat is most nutritious and tasty. This is not usually more than a couple of years from birth, as the egg-production starts declining after 12 months since the hen started laying. Old hens and roosters (males) have a relatively low commercial value. About fifty per cent of roosters get killed at an early age. There are various breeds of Chickens, which are used for various purposes in many countries of the world.