Jake Harper
The term red-boned chicken refers to the belief that the bones of chickens are red. Chickens are believed to have descended from the red junglefowl (*Gallus gallus*), a tropical bird found across Southeast and parts of South Asia. Red junglefowl were domesticated for human use around 8,000 years ago, giving rise to the many breeds of domesticated chickens we know today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gallus gallus domesticus |
| Subspecies | Gallus gallus |
| Ancestor | Red junglefowl |
| Ancestor scientific name | Gallus gallus |
| Place of origin | Southeast Asia |
| Date of origin | 8,000 years ago |
| Other places of origin | Southwestern China, northern Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan |
| Date of domestication in China | 7,400 years ago |
| Date of domestication in India | 7,000 years ago |
| Date of arrival in Egypt | 1400 BC |
| Date of domestication in Chile | 1321 to 1407 CE |
| Arrival in the Americas | Likely before Christopher Columbus |
| Arrival in Peru | 1532 |
| Number of breeds | Numerous |
| Global population | 26.5 billion |
| Number produced annually for consumption | 50 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Red junglefowl as the primary ancestor
Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), also known as Indian red junglefowl, is a species of tropical, predominantly terrestrial bird in the fowl and pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are found across much of Southeast and parts of South Asia, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, southern China, Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Red junglefowl is the primary ancestor of today's many breeds of domesticated chicken (G. g. domesticus). This is supported by molecular evidence, which reveals that the chicken was first domesticated from red junglefowl around 8,000 years ago, with this domestication event involving multiple maternal origins. Other archaeological evidence suggests that domestication may have occurred around 7,400 BP in the Chishan site of the Hebei province of China, or around 7,000 years ago in the Ganges region of India.
The red junglefowl has a smaller body mass than domesticated chickens, with females weighing around 1 kg and males weighing around 1.5 kg. They are also brighter in colour, with males having decorative feathers that shimmer with blue, purple, and green in direct light, along with golden hackle feathers on their necks and backs. The female's plumage, on the other hand, is cryptic and adapted for camouflage.
Behaviourally, junglefowl are naturally shy of humans, in contrast to the tamer domesticated subspecies. During mating season, male birds make the well-known "cock-a-doodle-doo" call or crowing. Red junglefowl prefer disturbed habitats and edges, both natural and human-created, especially those with forage and thick cover, such as deforested and regenerating forests near human settlements.
The domestication of red junglefowl is thought to have occurred in conjunction with the cultivation of rice, as farmers in Thailand buried skeletons of young members of the genus Gallus as grave goods, indicating that these birds were domesticated. The availability of rice may have drawn wild junglefowl to nest near rice fields, facilitating their domestication.
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Domestication 8,000 years ago
Chickens were created when red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) were domesticated for human use around 8,000 years ago. Red junglefowl are a species of tropical, predominantly terrestrial bird in the fowl and pheasant family, Phasianidae, found across much of Southeast and parts of South Asia. The red junglefowl was the primary species to give rise to today's many breeds of domesticated chicken.
The red junglefowl is native to Southeast Asia and was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago. It has become one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals globally. 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.
The red junglefowl was domesticated by early Austronesians, who lived in China and Southeast Asia. They were one of three main animals (along with domesticated pigs and dogs) carried by Austronesian peoples during their voyages to the islands of Oceania in prehistory, starting around 5,000 years ago. Today, their descendants are found throughout Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
The domestication of the red junglefowl occurred around 7,400 years ago at the Chishan site in the Hebei province of China, according to archaeological evidence. However, this has been disputed by several studies citing unfavourable weather conditions. In the Ganges region of India, wild red junglefowl were utilised by humans as early as 7,000 years ago.
Molecular evidence from whole-genome sequencing has revealed that domestication of the chicken involved multiple maternal origins. Chickens reached Egypt via the Middle East for cockfighting around 1400 BC and became widely bred there around 300 BC. They were also present in ancient Britain, where chicken bones were found intact, indicating they were not eaten. Julius Caesar commented that the Britons considered it "contrary to divine law" to eat chickens, but they raised them for amusement or pleasure.
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Spread of chickens
Chickens were domesticated from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) at least 5,000 years ago, with some sources placing this as far back as 8,000 years ago. The red junglefowl is native to Southeast Asia, with a range stretching from Pakistan and India in the west to Indochina and Indonesia in the south and southeast.
The spread of chickens around the world was likely facilitated by early humans, who used them for cockfighting and in a "ceremonial or symbolic role". They were also likely attracted to human settlements near fields of rice and millet, making them easier for humans to catch and domesticate. Chickens were one of the three main animals (along with pigs and dogs) carried by Austronesian peoples from Island Southeast Asia in their voyages to the islands of Oceania in prehistory, starting around 5,000 years ago. Today, their descendants are found throughout Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
Chickens reached Egypt via the Middle East for cockfighting around 1400 BC and became widely bred there around 300 BC. They spread to Africa around the early first millennium AD through several possible routes: the Egyptian Nile Valley, East African Roman-Greek or Indian trade, or from Carthage and the Berbers across the Sahara. The earliest known remains in Africa are from Mali, Nubia, the East Coast, and South Africa, dating to the middle of the first millennium AD.
There is also evidence of chickens in ancient Britain, where chicken bones were found intact, suggesting they were not eaten. Julius Caesar commented that the Britons considered it "contrary to divine law" to eat chickens, but they raised them "for their own amusement or pleasure".
A disputed theory suggests that chickens were brought to South America by Polynesians before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. This theory is based on radiocarbon and DNA testing of chicken bones in Chile dated to around 1321-1407 CE, predating Columbus' arrival in 1493. When Francisco Pizarro arrived in Peru in 1532, he observed that the Incan communities already had chickens.
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Genetic diversity
The term "chicken" refers to a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), which was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and has become one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals globally. Chickens are believed to have descended from the red junglefowl, a tropical, predominantly terrestrial bird in the fowl and pheasant family, Phasianidae, found across Southeast and parts of South Asia.
The genetic diversity of chickens can be attributed to their long history of domestication and interbreeding with other junglefowl species. Early humans likely initially used chickens for ceremonial or symbolic purposes, as evidenced by their presence in burials, texts, and figurines in ancient China. Over time, chickens were also utilized for cockfighting, a popular game in ancient India, China, and Persia. The ability to battle in cockfighting competitions may have contributed to their spread worldwide.
Archaeological evidence suggests that domestication occurred around 7,000 years ago in the Ganges region of India and 5,000 years ago in the Chishan site in the Hebei province of China. However, the Chinese domestication event has been disputed due to unfavourable weather conditions at the time. The spread of chickens is also associated with the early Austronesian peoples, who carried them from Island Southeast Asia to Oceania, starting around 5,000 years ago.
Chickens have since been bred by humans for various purposes, including meat, eggs, colourful plumage, and companionship. Genetic sequencing of ancient chicken bones has provided insights into their evolutionary history, indicating that they became less aggressive and began laying eggs earlier in the breeding season during the High Middle Ages. Additionally, chickens have interbred with grey junglefowl, Sri Lankan junglefowl, and green junglefowl, incorporating genes for traits like yellow skin.
The global chicken population exceeds 26.5 billion, with over 50 billion birds produced annually for consumption. Specialized breeds, such as broilers and laying hens, have been developed for meat and egg production, respectively. The genetic diversity of chickens has played a crucial role in their widespread domestication and their importance in global animal husbandry and agriculture.
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Use in cockfighting
Chickens were first domesticated from red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) around 8,000 years ago, with the domestication process involving multiple maternal origins. Red junglefowl are native to Southeast Asia, with their range stretching from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh in the west, to Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia in the south and east.
Undomesticated red junglefowl are still used in cockfighting, a practice that dates back thousands of years. In ancient times, cockfighting was popular in India, China, and Persia, and chickens were brought to Egypt via the Middle East for this purpose around 1400 BC. The sport also played a role in the spread of chickens around the world, as the dead animals were offered to local deities.
Cockfighting involves pitting two roosters, or cocks, against each other in a fight, often to the death. The birds are typically bred and trained specifically for aggression and fighting ability, with sharp spurs attached to their legs to increase the damage inflicted on their opponent. The practice has been controversial, with many countries and jurisdictions banning it due to concerns over animal cruelty.
Red junglefowl, with their bright colours and aggressive nature, are particularly well-suited for cockfighting. Their long, arching tail feathers and decorative hackle feathers on the neck and back make for an impressive display, while their natural aggression and strength make them formidable opponents.
In modern times, cockfighting has evolved into a sport with specific rules and regulations, although it remains illegal in many places. The practice continues in certain parts of the world, often as an underground activity, with participants breeding and training cocks for fighting, including the use of performance-enhancing drugs and selective breeding to create more aggressive birds.
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Frequently asked questions
A chicken is a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), originally native to Southeast Asia.
Chickens were domesticated from red junglefowl at least 5,000 years ago, with some sources placing this event 8,000 years ago.
The first domestication of chickens likely occurred in Thailand, with other possible origins being Myanmar, China, India, or Pakistan.
Red junglefowl is a species of tropical, predominantly terrestrial bird in the fowl and pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is found across Southeast and parts of South Asia.
The scientific name for chicken is Gallus gallus domesticus.
