Back Hoender Afrikaans Haushuhn ALS ዶሮ Amharic Gallus gallus domesticus AN Henn ANG دجاج Arabic فرخه ARZ কুকুৰা Assamese Gallus gallus domesticus AST Pakahakwan ATJ
| Chicken | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male (left) and female chickens | |
Domesticated
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Gallus |
| Species: | G. g. domesticus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gallus gallus domesticus | |
| |
| Chicken distribution | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Gallus domesticus L. | |
The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a large and round short-winged bird, domesticated from the red junglefowl of Southeast Asia around 8,000 years ago. Most chickens are raised for food, providing meat and eggs; others are kept as pets or for cockfighting.
Chickens are common and widespread domestic animals, with a total population of 23.7 billion as of 2018[update], and an annual production of more than 50 billion birds. A hen bred for laying can produce over 300 eggs per year. There are numerous cultural references to chickens in folklore, religion, and literature.