6 Facts About Chickens To Cluck About
FACTS ABOUT CHICKENS – Discover intriguing facts about chickens that may surprise you. Delve into these six fascinating facts about these inquisitive, clucking birds.
Chickens, the closest living relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex, are incredibly adaptable creatures found in almost every part of the world except Antarctica and Vatican City. They can fly short distances, swim, and communicate before hatching.
Here are six more intriguing facts about chickens:
1.Some Early Chickens Were Considered Sacred Animals
In ancient times, chickens were sometimes considered sacred animals. While the exact date of chicken domestication is debated, evidence suggests that early humans may have revered these birds instead of eating them. Chickens were even buried with humans, possibly acting as guides to the afterlife.
2. Ancient Chickens May Have Had Teeth
Unlike modern chickens, ancient ones might have had teeth. Early birds had teeth, which eventually evolved into beaks. Some scientists believe that it’s still possible for chickens to develop teeth, given their genetic makeup.
3. Chickens Can Recognize One Another… and Humans
Chickens are more intelligent than we once believed. They possess communication skills with various vocalizations for alerting others about predators, food, and mating. They can recognize up to 30 other birds and even human faces. A study showed that chickens prefer symmetrical human faces.
4. The World’s Oldest Living Chicken Is Named Peanut
Peanut, the world’s oldest living chicken, hails from Michigan and is 20 years and 304 days old as of March 1, 2023. She was nearly abandoned as a chick but has become a record-breaking, egg-laying pet.
5. There Are More Chickens on Earth Than People
There are more chickens on Earth than people. Despite a growing human population, the global chicken population stood at 25.8 billion in 2021, thanks to commercial poultry farming. In some areas like Delaware, chickens significantly outnumber humans.
6. A Rooster Once Crashed a President’s Inaugural Ball
In a quirky incident in 1973, a rooster crashed President Richard Nixon’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian’s Museum of History and Technology. The rooster, part of an exhibit on farm life, briefly mingled with guests before being returned to its display by an ornithologist.
In a previous article, we featured some disturbing facts about animals you probably don’t know yet.