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The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a domesticated form of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), originally native to Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and is one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals in the world. Chickens are primarily kept for their meat and eggs, though they are also kept as pets
As of 2023, the global chicken population exceeds 26.5 billion, with more than 50 billion birds produced annually for consumption. Specialized breeds such as broilers and laying hens have been developed for meat and egg production, respectively. A hen bred for laying can produce over 300 eggs per year. Chickens are social animals with complex vocalizations and behaviors, and feature in folklore, religion, and literature across many societies. Their economic importance makes them a central component of global animal husbandry.
Chicken can mean a chick, and this was historically the meaning of the word chicken,[16] as in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where Macduff laments the death of "all my pretty chickens and their dam".[17] The usage is preserved in placenames such as the Hen and Chicken Islands.[18] In older sources, and still often in trade and scientific contexts, chickens as a species are described as common fowl or domestic fowl.