Domestic Chicken

Domestic Chicken. Gallus gallus. , The Red Jungle Fowl, found in India and Southeast Asia, is the ancestor of today's domestic chickens. From ancient times, the chicken was used in religious ceremonies and was regarded as a fertility symbol., Can You Guess: Wild or Domestic? , Here's how to tell the difference:, Red Jungle Fowl:

. Weigh 2-3 pounds , . Females have almost invisible head comb and throat wattles , . Males lose decorative tail and neck feathers in summer; other plumage becomes duller

, Domestic Chickens:

. Weigh between 4-9 pounds, with the Jersey Giant weighing up to 13 pounds , . Females have prominent head comb and throat wattles , . Males rarely experience summer plumage changes

, Can You Guess: Female or Male? , A female chicken or hen:

. Has a short tail and dull feathers , . Cackles or clucks , . Has small comb and wattles , . Is smaller than the male

, A male chicken or rooster:

. Has a long, plumed tail and shining feathers , . Crows or clucks , . Fiercely guards his flock , . Has large comb and wattles , . Has spurs on back of legs