Jake Harper
Chickens have a unique skeletal structure that is quite different from that of mammals. Their bones are mainly composed of calcium, phosphorus, and collagen fibres, and they have two types of bones: pneumatic and medullary. The number of bones in a chicken's body varies depending on the specific breed and size, but on average, a chicken has around 200 bones. This includes the skull, collar bone, pelvis, vertebrae, ribs, leg bones, and more. In addition to providing structure and strength to the whole bird, the chicken's skeletal system also plays a crucial role in calcium storage and respiration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bones in a chicken's body | 39 |
| Number of bones in a chicken's spine | 39 |
| Number of bones in a human's spine | 33 |
| Bones in a chicken's skull | Skull, humerus (upper wing), clavicle (collar bone) |
| Bones in a chicken's breast | Coracoid, clavicle (wishbone), sternal rib portion, sternum (keelbone) |
| Bones in a chicken's wing | Humerus, radius, ulna, radial carpal, ulnar carpal, third carpometacarpal, first phalanges, distal phalanges, second phalanx (third digit) |
| Bones in a chicken's back | Scapula, thoracic vertebrae, ilium, ossinnominatum, synsacrum, second rib, vertebral rib portion, ischium, pubium (pinbone) |
| Bones in a chicken's tail | Coccygeal vertebrae, urostilus (pygostyle) |
| Bones in a chicken's leg | Femur, patella (knee cap), fibula, tibia |
| Calcium content in bones | 99% of body calcium |
| Phosphorus content in bones | 80% of body phosphorus |
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What You'll Learn
- Chicken bones are made up of calcium, phosphorus and collagen fibres
- The skeleton is a reservoir of calcium and phosphorus
- The keel or posterior portion of the sternum is cartilaginous in young poultry
- The chicken skeleton has pneumatic bones, which are hollow and connected to the respiratory system
- The chicken has medullary bones, which are calcium-rich and include the leg bones
Chicken bones are made up of calcium, phosphorus and collagen fibres
Chicken bones are made up of calcium, phosphorus, and collagen fibres. Calcium and phosphorus are essential minerals for chicken bone development. A chicken's skeleton serves as a major reservoir of calcium and phosphorus, storing 99% of the body's calcium and 80% of its phosphorus.
Calcium plays a critical role in the formation and maintenance of strong bones. A deficiency in calcium can lead to weak bone structures and increase the risk of fractures during picking, transport, and slaughtering. Vitamin D is essential for the assimilation and use of calcium in chickens. A vitamin D deficiency can result in conditions typically associated with calcium deficiency, such as rickets.
Phosphorus, alongside calcium, is responsible for the formation and maintenance of bones. It also participates in various metabolic reactions in the body, contributing to multiple essential functions.
Collagen is the main fibrous protein found in animal bones, tendons, and skin. It is a heavy-weighted protein that is not water-soluble due to its hydrophobic nature. In chicken bones, collagen is surrounded by an extremely dense material, calcium apatite crystals.
Chicken bones, therefore, rely on the presence and balance of calcium, phosphorus, and collagen fibres for their strength and structural integrity.
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The skeleton is a reservoir of calcium and phosphorus
The chicken's skeleton, like that of many other animals, is a reservoir of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphate are critical to human and chicken physiology, playing a role in neuromuscular function and skeletal mineralization. The skeleton stores calcium and phosphate to help maintain mineral balance in the body, which is crucial for various physiological functions.
Calcium is absorbed from the diet in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is incorporated into the skeleton through the process of mineralization of the organic matrix of bone, osteoid. The skeleton then acts as a reservoir for these minerals, releasing them into the bloodstream as needed to maintain proper mineral balance. This is especially important in chickens, as hens use calcium from their own bodies to create eggshells. In fact, hens in high production can easily become depleted of calcium, causing weakness in bone structure.
The skeleton is also important in maintaining the levels of other minerals, such as phosphorus and magnesium. These minerals are continuously added or removed from the bone. For example, phosphorus is regulated by the glycoprotein FGF23, which promotes the renal excretion of phosphorus. In addition, the skeleton plays a vital role in movement, as it provides anchor points for muscles to attach and move.
The chicken skeleton has several unique adaptations for flight. For instance, the sternum (breastbone or keel) provides a large surface area for the attachment of the main flight muscles. The neck is also quite long, which allows the chicken to reach food on the ground when in the vertical position of walking or roosting. This longer neck also acts as a shock absorber when landing after flight.
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The keel or posterior portion of the sternum is cartilaginous in young poultry
The chicken's skeletal structure is adapted for flight. The sternum, or breastbone, is a large, flat bone that provides a broad surface for the attachment of the main flight muscles, such as the pectoralis and supracoracoideus muscles. The sternum also completes the anterior chest wall as the ventral breastplate.
The sternum has multiple indentations along its lateral borders (costal notches) and articulates with the ribs via secondary cartilaginous joints. In young poultry, the posterior portion of the sternum, known as the keel, is cartilaginous and ossifies into harder bone as the bird ages. This keel structure is not present in flightless birds, such as ostriches, whose sternum is shaped more like a raft.
The keel, or posterior portion of the sternum, being cartilaginous in young poultry, is an important aspect of their skeletal development. Cartilage is a firm, flexible connective tissue found in many areas of the body, providing structure and support. In the case of the keel, it serves as a precursor to the harder bone that will develop as the bird matures. This cartilaginous stage is unique to young poultry and is not observed in other animals.
The chicken's skeleton includes pneumatic bones, which are somewhat hollow and aid in respiratory function. These bones include the skull, humerus (upper wing), clavicle (collar bone), keel, pelvic girdle (hip bones), and lumbar/sacral vertebrae (backbones). The prefix "pneu" refers to containing air, highlighting the role of these bones in supporting the respiratory system.
In summary, the keel or posterior portion of the sternum being cartilaginous in young poultry is a normal and expected part of their skeletal development. This cartilaginous stage is later replaced by harder bone, adapting the bird for flight and providing structural support for the body.
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The chicken skeleton has pneumatic bones, which are hollow and connected to the respiratory system
The chicken skeleton is similar to that of other mammals, but it has some unique features to accommodate a bird's need to be light enough to fly. The chicken skeleton has pneumatic bones, which are hollow and connected to the respiratory system. These bones aid in the high respiratory demands of a flying bird. The prefix "pneu" implies containing air.
Pneumatic bones include the skull, humerus (upper wing), clavicle (collar bone), keel (breast bone), pelvic girdle (hip bones), and lumbar/sacral vertebrae (backbones). These bones have a crisscrossing of struts or trusses, creating a strong but light framework for the attachment of flight muscles. The keel, or posterior portion of the sternum, is cartilaginous in young poultry and ossifies into harder bone as the bird ages.
The chicken skeleton also includes medullary bones, which serve a unique function in female chickens. These bones, including the tibia, femur, pubic bone, ribs, ulna, toe bones, and scapula, provide a source of calcium for eggshell formation. Hens in high production may struggle to obtain sufficient dietary calcium, leading to weakness in bone structure.
The chicken skeleton has evolved to withstand the shock of taking off and landing during flight. The fusion of some vertebral sections provides rigidity, and the long neck acts as a shock absorber. The neck also allows the bird to adjust its centre of gravity when transitioning from flying to walking or perching.
In summary, the chicken skeleton is designed for flight, with hollow pneumatic bones connected to the respiratory system, providing a lightweight yet strong structure. Medullary bones in female chickens provide a crucial source of calcium for eggshell formation, highlighting the unique adaptations of the chicken skeleton to support vital functions.
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The chicken has medullary bones, which are calcium-rich and include the leg bones
The chicken's skeletal structure is quite unique. It must be able to withstand the shock of taking off and landing during flight. The skeleton also provides support and protection for the remainder of the systems and tissues. The chicken's skeleton is a major reservoir of calcium and phosphorus. 99% of body calcium and 80% of body phosphorus are stored in the skeleton.
In the female chicken, the medullary bones include the tibia, femur, pubic bone, ribs, ulna, toe bones, and the scapula. The eggshell is primarily made of calcium, and hens get almost half of that demand from their medullary bones. The medullary bone starts to develop about 10-14 days before the first egg is laid, triggered by the presence of oestrogen and androgen in the blood as the pullet reaches sexual maturity.
Vitamin D is critical for the chicken to be able to assimilate and use calcium. A deficiency of vitamin D will result in a typical calcium deficiency, such as rickets. Vitamin D is formed when ergosterol, a compound found under the skin of poultry, is exposed to sunlight.
The chicken skeleton has other unique features. For instance, the long neck acts as a shock absorber during landing after flight. The neck also helps the bird adjust its centre of gravity when changing from the horizontal position of flight to a more vertical position of walking or roosting. The keel or posterior portion of the sternum is cartilaginous in young poultry and ossifies to harder bone in older birds.
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