Forget what you know about chickens and think beyond egg-laying and cute noises. Chickens are not just ordinary birds; they have surprising talents and secrets. Let’s explore 21 Surprising Facts About Chickens that will change the way you see them.
You will be surprised to see they run so fast and can find their way like a GPS. We’ll learn about their friendships, and understand their language. Get ready to be amazed as you’ll find they’re connected to dinosaurs! You’ll also see facts like turning eggs, taking dust baths, and more.
Go a little further and learn why chickens are quite interesting!
Table of Contents
List of 21 Surprising Facts About Chickens
Chickens are quite interesting! They have multiple behavioral facts like being social or curious with hidden talents. Let’s see what makes them stand out backyard buddy of ours.
1. Chickens Are Quite Faster!
Did you know chickens can run a speedy 9 miles per hour? Imagine a race between a chicken and a toddler – it’s anyone’s guess!
And guess what! Surprisingly chickens don’t even sweat. They stay cool by panting, like dogs.
2. Social Wonders
Chickens are social butterflies with impressive brainpower. They recognize over 100 faces, remember friends and foes, and even see the world in color. They communicate using special “chicken-vision” signals.
3. Eggstraordinary Builders
Hens are careful egg builders. They turn their eggs 50 times a day to help chicks grow right.
Chicken eggs come in different colors because of genetic differences. So, it makes the chicken world beautiful with multiple colors based on different breeds.
Surprisingly, brown eggs cost more than white ones. It’s because people think they’re more natural, affecting their market value.
However, the brown eggs cost $3.29, while the white eggs cost $2.99.
4. Record-Breaking Egg
The biggest egg ever laid by a chicken weighed 454 grams (16 ounces)! It was laid by a special hen called a White Leghorn in Vineland, New Jersey, USA, on February 25, 1956. This egg had two yolks and two shells, showing how diverse and unique chickens can be. Imagine cracking open an egg that big for breakfast!
5. Yolk Color and Nutrition
Knowing that the color of the yolk doesn’t affect the taste or quality. It’s a myth! However, it emphasizes how crucial it is for hens to have a balanced diet to lay healthy and nutritious eggs.
6. Feathered Navigators
Chickens have a remarkable internal magnetic compass. It is believed they surpass most GPS systems. They act like feathered mapmakers, easily finding their way back to familiar coops.
7. Linguistic Chickens
Don’t be fooled by their clucking! Chickens speak a sophisticated language with clucks, cackles, and purrs, each having a specific meaning. They gossip, warn of danger, and even call their chicks with unique chirps. Some smart breeds, like the Silkie, can even imitate human speech and hum tunes!
8. Feathered Gliders
While real flight is a bit out of reach, chickens don’t let gravity stop them. They can “fly” short distances, gliding up to 65 feet with their strong wings. Picture them as feathered gliders, gracefully soaring over fences in pursuit of that extra-juicy worm!
9. Colorful Communication
Chickens communicate using full-color vision. They send visual signals to convey information about their surroundings. It’s their way of signaling safety or danger to fellow chickens.
10. They Take Dust Baths for Fun and Health
Dust baths aren’t just entertaining for chickens. They play a crucial role in maintaining hygiene. By controlling parasites, these baths help keep their feathers in top-notch condition.
11. They Are Musical Chickens!
Certain chicken breeds, such as the Silkie, showcase impressive vocal versatility. They can mimic human speech and even hum tunes, highlighting their adaptability to human environments.
12. Wild Grass “Slurping”
Observing chickens “slurping” grass in the wild gives us a peek into their natural diet. It shows how they supplement their nutrition with vegetation and insects.
13. Dinosaur Heritage
Chickens are considered descendants of the Red Jungle Fowl, a wild bird species from Southeast Asia. This species shares a common ancestry with dinosaurs. And it’s what provides a connection to the ancient lineage of birds.
14. Short Lives in Farming
Chickens raised for meat have short lives. So, you may think about the challenges and ethics in the farming industry. It prompts us to consider how we treat these animals.
15. Chicken Intelligence
Chickens show intelligence similar to humans, challenging the idea that they’re not clever. They’re brighter than we might think! Hens’ ability to count up to ten is connected to their social structure.
A recent study reveals that chickens are not just ordinary animals. They’re intelligent and emotional beings. The findings suggest that chickens can showcase thinking abilities. It’s when comparable to mammals and primates.
16. Chickens and Global Impact
With billions of chickens worldwide, they play a crucial role in farming. So, people are coming forward to do poultry business more and more! And now it makes them vital for our global food systems.
In 2019, the worldwide poultry market experienced a 6% growth. It reached a total of US$231.5 billion, marking the third consecutive year of increase.
17. Chicken and Their Diverse Diets
Chickens are like food adventurers. Their love for both plants and animals in their diet shows how adaptable they are. It helps them survive in different environments.
18. Chick Can Survive Without Their Mother!
Even without their moms, baby chicks can survive and grow. It shows their strength and ability to adapt to different ways of growing up. Just a little care from the owner is what they need!
19. Peanut’s Remarkable Lifespan
Peanut is the name of the oldest chicken that holds the Guinness World record. The “World’s Oldest Chicken” this year, has passed away at the age of 21. She was born in May 2002 and lived with a retired librarian on a 37-acre farm in Michigan.
Here is a video!
20. Chicken Pecking Order
In a group of chickens, there’s a special way they organize themselves. It’s kind of like having a leader and followers. This is called a “pecking order.” The leader chicken gets to eat first and makes sure everyone else waits their turn. It helps them share food and resources.
21. Chicken Waste Management
Surprising facts about chickens also include they have a unique way of getting rid of waste. Which includes urine and poop. This tells us a lot about how their stomach and bathroom systems work. It’s like having a built-in cleaning system to keep them healthy and tidy!
Recommended Readings:
- Understanding Chicken Behavior
- Do Chickens Sleep Standing Up
- How Long Do Roosters Live
- Why Do Chickens Sneeze
Final Word
So, I am done sharing Surprising Facts About Chickens. You can get 100 facts about them, but these 21 numbers are the most popular. Discovering chickens is like finding a treasure chest of surprises! Chickens can run fast, have cool skills, and even talk in their way.
Surprisingly, they’re not only egg layers; they’re like little architects and have their language. Chickens are amazing navigators and have many talents. Learning these surprising facts makes us see chickens in a whole new light. Especially for the poultry owners or backyard chicken lovers!
