# Domestic Chicken (*Gallus gallus domesticus*) Domestic chickens are friendly birds that live on farms. They come in many colors and love to peck around for food. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Also known as:** Chicken, Hen, Rooster ![Domestic Chicken](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425969/objects/4581.jpg) ## Appearance The Domestic Chicken has a small head with a fleshy red comb on top and matching wattles below its beak. Its body is covered in varied feathers, often white, brown, black, or reddish, with short, sturdy legs and a short tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Gallus ## Interesting facts - A hen will cluck softly to her eggs before they even hatch! - Chickens dream, experiencing REM sleep just like humans do! - The tallest chicken ever recorded was almost two feet tall! - They can remember over 100 faces of other chickens and people! ## Special abilities - **Egg-cellent Layers:** Domestic Chickens can lay an egg almost daily because of their specialized reproductive system that helps provide food for humans. - **Dirt Diggers:** Domestic Chickens can scratch and dig the ground with their strong feet because of their robust claws that helps them find hidden treats like worms. - **Dust Bathtub:** Domestic Chickens have the ability to roll in dry dirt because of their fine feathers that helps them clean parasites and keep their plumage healthy. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-70 cm - **Wingspan:** 60-90 cm - **Weight:** 1-5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 14 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-12 - **Incubation:** 20-21 days ## Diet & Feeding They scratch and peck for a varied diet of seeds, insects, and plants. - **Primary Foods:** seeds, grains, insects, worms, leafy greens, small fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Provide shelter and food for them. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Hunts chickens for food. - **Eaten by:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Preys on eggs and chicks. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A favorite food for foraging chickens. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Chickens are gentle animals, but always ask an adult before petting them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Domestic Chicken? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Domestic Chicken? 30-70 cm ### What is Domestic Chicken's wingspan? 60-90 cm ### How much does Domestic Chicken weigh? 1-5 kg ### How long does Domestic Chicken live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Domestic Chicken move? 14 km/h ### What does Domestic Chicken eat? They scratch and peck for a varied diet of seeds, insects, and plants. ### How does Domestic Chicken hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Arche Warder](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arche-warder) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Zoo - [KALISTO Tierpark & Café](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kalisto-tierpark) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [WIRGARTEN Fulda](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wirgarten-fulda) — Hessen, DE · Zoo - [egapark Erfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/egapark-erfurt) — Thüringen, DE · Park - [Herzogenriedpark (Mannheim)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/herzogenriedpark-mannheim) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Park - [Parc à Gibier de Saint-Hubert](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-gibier-de-saint-hubert) — Luxembourg, BE · Zoo [View all places to see Domestic Chicken](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/domestic-chicken) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Domestic Chicken: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-chicken)