Chicken
| Domestic Chicken | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Species | ||||||||||||
| Gallus gallus Gallus lafayetii Gallus sonneratii Gallus varius Reference: 176085 as of 2002-08-17 |
||||||||||||
A chicken is a type of domesticated bird which is usually raised as a type of poultry. It is believed to be descended from the wild Asian Red Junglefowl, Gallus gallus.
 |
|
Feeding time for the baby chickens
Picture provided by Classroom Clipart |
Male chickens, known as cockerels (if younger than one year old) or roosters, are common symbols of masculinity, and their natural inclination to fight has been exploited in staged cockfights, sometimes with a metal spike added to or replacing the natural spurs. Most countries have banned cockfighting.
Chicken can be prepared as food in a number of ways. Common traditional European/North-American methods include roasting, baking, and frying. Their eggs are also eaten.