KidsCorner - Amazing Chickens

AMAZING CHICKENS

Chickens are amazing animals! Chickens are domestic birds. Most chickens are too heavy to fly for more than a short distance. An adult female chicken is called a hen, the adult male is called a rooster, and the young are called chicks. A group of chickens is called a flock. At the Sanctuary, we have many different breeds of chickens in our flock and they are different sizes and colors. The scientific name of the chicken is Gallus domesticus (genus and species). Birds are thought by some to be the descendants of dinosaurs and if you watch a chicken they almost look like a pre-historic animal.

Chickens have feathers and two feet. Each of their feet has four toes (just like goats) but their toes are long and separate and have long claws on the end. There are three toes in front and one toe that points back to help them balance. Their feet allow them to fly up and perch on roosts to sleep. They are also good for scratching in the dirt and hay to find food. Chickens eat plants and meat (they are omnivores). They love the green grass, grain such as corn and other seeds, worms, bugs, and even eggs!! The chickens at the sanctuary are never kept in cages like they are at some farms. They love to roam and hunt and are healthiest this way.

Hens lay eggs, usually one every day in the summer and one every other day or so in the winter. You can learn more about eggs by following the EGGS link at the top of the page. The hen is smaller than the rooster. Hens make a clucking sound. They also establish and follow a very strict “pecking order.” They hang out in groups of their friends and family, moving around the sanctuary together and even sleeping together. When a new chicken is introduced to the flock, it must establish its place in the group. The other hens will challenge the new arrival to see if it is strong and healthy enough to join their group. They never really hurt each other but they sure can look ferocious. Once the new chicken has established itself, it joins the group and becomes part of the flock!

Roosters have a large red comb on top of their heads and spurs that grow on the back of their legs. Roosters are the guardians and protectors of the hens. They alert the hens to the presence of predators by making a long, loud screeching sound. When a rooster makes this sound, all of the hens run for cover. When they find food, the roosters call the hens by making a distinctive clucking sound. The hens come running and eat the food and the rooster goes off to find more food for them. Roosters are the only ones who crow – hens never do. The crow of a rooster is very loud and serves as a warning to other roosters that this is his home and these are his hens. Contrary to what you might think, roosters crow at all times of the day and sometimes even at night! The crow of a rooster is very loud and can be heard from far away. This is one reason that chickens do not make good pets in the city…most neighbors do not appreciate their crowing!