Chickens - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

Chickens are members of the bird family called Galliformes, which includes turkeys, quail, pheasants, and other landfowl.

The scientific name for chickens is Gallus gallus domesticus, and they are the most common domesticated bird in the world!

A group of chickens is called a “flock,” while a group of baby chicks is called a “brood”!

Chickens likely first became our friends in Southeast Asia about 3,500 years ago — when people started growing rice, red junglefowl were drawn close, and that’s when chickens began to be domesticated!

There are more than 25 billion chickens living on Earth right now — that’s more than three chickens for every person!

Most chickens live about 5 to 10 years when cared for, but some special ones — like record-breakers Muffy and Peanut — have lived over 20 years!

Adult female chickens are called “hens,” adult males are called “roosters,” and babies are called “chicks”!

A pullet is a young female chicken under one-year-old, while a cockerel is a young male chicken under one-year-old!

Chickens can be found living on every continent except Antarctica!

A healthy adult chicken typically weighs between 2 (0.91 kg) and 9 pounds (ca. 4 kg), depending on the breed!

The wild red junglefowl, living in the forests of Southeast Asia, is the original ancestor of all our domestic chickens today!

Physical Characteristics

Chickens have excellent color vision and can see more colors than humans can, including ultraviolet light!

A chicken’s body temperature is typically between 105-107°F (40.6-41.7°C), which is warmer than humans!

Chickens have more bones in their necks than giraffes, with around 14 to 16 vertebrae compared to a giraffe‘s 7!

The heaviest chicken egg ever recorded weighed 454 grams (16 ounces), which is about three times the size of a regular egg!

Chickens have a special third eyelid called a nictitating membrane that helps protect their eyes while still allowing them to see!

A chicken’s heart beats between 220–360 times per minute, which is much faster than a human heart!

Chickens have between 8,000 and 10,000 feathers covering their bodies!

A chicken’s comb (the red flesh on top of their head) helps them stay cool in hot weather!

Chickens can run at speeds up to 9 miles per hour (14 km/h), which is faster than a jogging human!

The world’s largest chicken breed, the Jersey Giant, can grow to be as tall as 2 feet (61 cm) — almost as tall as a toddler!

A chicken’s beak grows continuously throughout its life, just like human fingernails!

The tiniest chicken in the world is the Malaysian Serama — most adult roosters weigh about 14 to 16 ounces (around 400–450 grams) and hens are a bit lighter!

A chicken’s field of vision is about 300 degrees, which means they can see almost all the way around their head!

Chickens don’t just see the sun — they sense sunlight patterns and magnetic sparkles that help them figure out where the sun is, even when it’s hiding behind clouds!

A chicken’s ear is located behind and slightly below its eye, covered by special feathers!

The heaviest chicken ever recorded weighed about 23 pounds (10.4 kg), as much as a large house cat!

Chickens have three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe on each foot!

Some chicken breeds have feathers on their feet, which help keep them warm in cold weather!

A chicken’s comb can change color based on their health and how warm or cold they are!

Chickens have specialized scales on their legs that help protect them from scratches and injury!

Behavior & Intelligence

Chickens can recognize and remember over 100 different faces of people or other chickens!

Mother hens talk to their chicks while they’re still in their eggs, and the chicks can peep back!

Chickens can learn to count up to five and can solve simple math problems!

Chickens have a strict social hierarchy called a “pecking order” that determines who gets to eat and sleep in the best spots!

Chickens dream during sleep, just like humans and other mammals!

Chickens use over 30 different vocal sounds to communicate with each other!

Roosters perform a special dance called “tidbitting” to show hens where to find good food!

Chickens are social animals and can feel lonely if kept alone!

Chickens naturally wake up just before sunrise, even without a rooster’s crow!

Chickens can navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field, similar to how migrating birds find their way!

Chickens prefer to sleep in a line with their flock, all facing the same direction!

Mother hens teach their chicks which foods are good to eat and which to avoid!

Chickens use one eye for distance vision and the other for close-up tasks, like finding food!

Roosters perform a special warning call when they spot predators from above, like hawks!

Chickens are surprisingly speedy — some can sprint at about 13 feet per second (that’s roughly 9 mph or 4 m/s) when they really run!

Chickens prefer to lay their eggs in nests where other eggs are already present!

Chickens can learn from each other’s mistakes and successes when finding food!

Roosters often act as lookouts while hens are eating or caring for chicks!

Chickens show empathy and can become stressed when they see other chickens in distress!