Gallus gallus domesticus–the chicken–is the domesticated subspecies of the wild red jungle fowl native to Southeast Asia.
Some estimate that humans first domesticated the red jungle fowl over 8,000 years ago. Once people noticed that, when there’s an excess of food, chickens turn their reproductive cycle upside down and start producing a ton of eggs.
Once domesticated, chickens spread all over and became a cornerstone source of protein for many ancient Eurasian civilizations. With the iconic combination of eggs and meat, the world was quickly overrun.
The sheer number of chickens in the world is insane! It is said that chickens are the most abundant vertebrate land species, numbering over 26 million at any given time. Due to the huge industrial poultry industry, over 50 billion chickens are raised for consumption.
Like many domesticated animals, chickens also come in a ton of varieties, showing off huge diversity in color, plumage and size. Certain chicken breeds have been optimized for meat and egg production.
Because of how ubiquitous and useful they are, the chicken is the subject of my myths and tales. One tall tale borders on the philosophical when it takes readers to theorize why a chicken may cross the road. But to truly understand animals’ behavior, decision making and habitat selection/migration, more reading is needed. Then again, some of the smartest among us claim the answer is in the question itself.
Unfortunately, “chicken” doesn’t always have the best connotation. In the “Back to the Future” trilogy, many members of the McFly family take great offense when compared to the bird. Part of the mockery stems from “the chicken dance,” a ritualistic affair involving squawking, head thrusting, the bend of one’s hand to their armpit, and the imitation of flight itself.
At the University of Rhode Island, these birds can be found at Peckham Farm, but are arguably most known for their residence at the university’s President’s House. These famous chickens are known to wander off a little and can be seen in the pathways surrounding Green Hall and beyond, often letting one witness the fabled crossing of the road.
Pictured above is a member of the presidential coop, proudly strutting about.
One may argue that chickens are prevalent in these stories due to their importance and prevalence, but I see something greater.
Chickens allow us to ponder why, ask big questions and get small answers.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Why do we do anything at all? Why be anything at all?
It’s strange, but maybe everything is pulled to the other side.
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Well, the egg begot the bird before the chicken came to be, but who is to say exactly what a chicken is? Right now, it’s molecular biology–and they are still arguing about it to this very day.
In these questions about nature, we can discover ourselves. In the meaning and reasoning of the natural world lies us as well. We, too, are part of this world and come from the same laws that govern life.
The next time you see a chicken, be sure to understand just how important they are to us. They could use a little bit more appreciation in their lives. If you get a chance, try to ponder an answer to one of the ancient riddles and perhaps be brave enough to come up with a new one yourself.
