Gallus gallus domesticus

Family

• Phasianidae

Lifespan

• Up to 20 years in captivity

Size

• Height: 4-7 inches
• Weight:  16-25 ounces

Origin

• Domestic chickens are bred in many places
• All domestic chickens are descendents of the Red Jungle Fowl
  

Habitat

• Domestic breed only, not found in the wild

Diet

• Zoo:  Mazuri brand Gamebird chow and greens

Reproduction

• Chickens lay eggs like all birds.
• Chickens reach sexual maturity around 18 months.
• Clutch size can vary depending on breed, age, health, and nutrition.
• After 21-30 days the chicks will make their way out of the shell.
• Newly hatched chicks are moist and covered in downy feathers.
• Within 4-5 weeks the chicks should be fully feathered.
• Chicks will flock near their mother for protection until reaching adult size.

Special adaptations

• Chickens have a comb and waddle, red skin flaps on the top of their head and under their beak, which help dissipate heat
• Roosters will have a larger comb and waddle which are a form of ornamentation.  Roosters with larger combs and waddles tend to appear more attractive to hens
• Some bantam chicken breeds are considered a "fancy chicken" and will have ornamental feathers surrounding their feet

Facts/info

• Domestic chickens are too large to fly, but can glide and perch on tall objects
• Chickens love the occasional worm or bug and will scratch at the ground in hopes of uncovering a tasty treat
• Today bantam chickens are mostly used for show or kept as a hobby
• True bantams are breeds that do not have a full size counterpart
• There are several color variations (breeds) of Bantam Chickens.  At the zoo we have a bantam Leghorn, bantam Porcelain Mille Fleure Barbu D'Uccle, and bantam Sebright

Conservation status

• IUCN: Not Evaluated
• CITES: Not Listed
• As a domestic species, the chicken is not listed under protective status

Sources

1. Henderson, John R. Henderson’s Handy Dandy Chicken Chart. Accessed November 29, 2009 http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
2. Gallus gallus (Linnaeus, 1758). Encyclopedia of Life. Accessed November 29, 2009 http://www.eol.org/pages/1049263
3. CITES Appendices. Accessed December 2012. www.cites.org
4. IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Accessed December 2012. www.iucnredlist.org