Category: Content Contributors

Chickens, History and Ancestry

The Domestication History of Chickens 

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) in Kaziranga National park in Assam, India
by K. Kris Hirst

The history of chickens (Gallus domesticus) is still a bit of a puzzle. Scholars agree that they were first domesticated from a wild form called red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), a bird that still runs wild in most of southeast Asia, most likely hybridized with the gray junglefowl (G. sonneratii). That occurred probably about 8,000 years ago. Recent research suggests, however, there may have been multiple other domestication events in distinct areas of South and Southeast Asia, southern China, Thailand, Burma, and India… Continue Reading

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Frizzle Chicken: Breed Profile, Care Guide and More…

by The Happy Chicken Coop

What, you may ask is a frizzle? It is most definitely a chicken, but a chicken with a very unusual look and some special needs to go with the look.
They are fun, conspicuous and lovable – what more can you ask of the chickens in your life?
They are treated differently in some countries as we shall see, but they are most definitely loved around the world. Read Article

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Understanding the Molting Process

Molting is a natural process that chickens go through annually so they can replenish and replace their feathers. Chickens need to grow new feathers to allow them to effectively regulate their body temperature especially those in colder environments.
Chickens will molt several times during their lives. The first molt is called a “juvenile” molt and occurs when they are only 6 – 8 days old… Continue Reading

Article by by McMurray Staff
McMurray Hatchery Blog
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