Hens communicate with their chicks while they're still inside their eggs. Chickens have the ability to recognize and remember around 100 different faces (human, and chicken). If you have backyard chickens and they get excited when they see you or their favourite people, that’s why!

While some people think that chickens eat only plants and grains, they actually eat (and enjoy) a much wider variety of foods. They eat plants, seeds, and grains, but also bits of dairy or meat products. Chickens also like to peck around in the dirt and find bugs to eat, for example, beetles, larvae, slugs, and grasshoppers.

Some research suggests that Chickens are just as clever as human toddlers.

Did you know? It is estimated that there are more than 33 billion chickens worldwide! Outnumbering the human population, chickens are one of the most common farm animals. 

Chickens are the closest living relatives of dinosaurs! Scientific evidence has proven the shared common ancestry between chickens and the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Chickens were domesticated about 8000 years ago, and evolved from the Red junglefowl, which are tropical birds that live in the jungle. These wild birds fly to escape predators and to roost high up in trees. Today’s domestic chickens still have the ability to fly, although not as effectively. Chickens can fly for short distances – enough to clear obstacles or reach a perch.

Research has shown that chickens experience REM (rapid eye movement) while sleeping, meaning they can dream just like us!

Like humans, chickens have colour vision, and are able to see red, green and blue light. However, what makes chicken vision unique from ours is that they are also able to see ultraviolet light, which are the colours you see when using a black light.

Chickens have an oil gland on their back that is used to spread oil over their feathers to make them waterproof. Over time, the oil goes stale, and chickens need to wash the old oil off through dust bathing. Dust bathing is when chickens crouch on the ground and spread dirt or another dusty material over their body. The stale oil sticks onto the particles of dirt and gets shaken off. Chickens can then spread fresh oil onto their feathers.

Chickens were domesticated in Southern China around 8,000 years ago in 6000 B.C.

Chicken’s bodies contain 15% more water than humans.

Chickens can run up to 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) per hour!

Many celebrities keep chickens as pets.  Names which come to mind include Gisele Bündchen, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon, Tori Spelling and Martha Stewart.

Chickens have inspired several fun and intriguing fables throughout history. Here are some delightful stories featuring our feathered friends:

1. Chicken Little (Henny Penny): This classic fable tells the story of a chicken named Chicken Little who believes the sky is falling after an acorn falls on her head. She starts a frantic procession of animals, each more frightened than the last, heading to tell the king about the impending disaster. The story ends with the animals discovering that they were misled by the cunning fox who intended to eat them. The tale is a humorous way to illustrate how panic and misinformation can lead to unnecessary trouble.

2. The Hen Who Laid Golden Eggs: In this fable, a hen lays golden eggs, bringing great wealth to her owner. However, the owner, greedy for more, kills the hen to get all the gold at once, only to find that there are no more eggs inside. This story serves as a moral about the consequences of greed and the importance of being content with what one has.

3. The Fox and the Chicken: In various versions of this fable, a clever fox tries to outwit a chicken. In one version, the chicken, aware of the fox's tricks, uses clever strategies to avoid being caught. For example, the chicken might distract the fox with a riddle or lead it on a wild goose chase, showcasing the chicken’s intelligence and resourcefulness. The fable often highlights the value of wit and cunning in overcoming adversity.

4. The Rooster and the Pearl: In this tale, a rooster finds a pearl and doesn’t understand its value. He realizes that while the pearl is precious, it holds no use for him as a rooster who values food and grains. This story is a whimsical way of illustrating that different things have different values depending on one's perspective and needs.

5. The Chicken and the Duckling: In a lesser-known fable, a chicken hatches a duckling along with her eggs. Despite their differences, the chicken raises the duckling as her own, teaching it to behave like a chicken. When the duckling eventually discovers its affinity for water, it realizes it belongs with other ducks. This story highlights the importance of understanding and embracing one's true nature while appreciating the kindness and care given by others.

These fables featuring chickens often carry lessons about human nature, values, and the cleverness of the seemingly ordinary. They blend humour with moral teachings, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.

 

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