Chickens

Anatomy: The rooster is larger and more brightly colored than the hen; he also has a larger comb. Roosters make a very loud crowing sound and can be quite aggressive. Hens lay eggs that range in color from white to pale brown and other pale colors.

Diet: Chickens have a varied diet. They eat insects, worms, fruit, seeds, acorns, grains, slugs, snails, and many other foods. They have a well-developed gizzard (a part of the stomach that contains tiny stones) that grinds up their food.

Predators: Many animals eat chickens, include skunks, owls, raccoons, hawks, snakes, opossums, bobcats, and people.

Classification of the Chicken

• Kingdom Animalia (the animals)
• Phylum Chordata
• Subphylum Vertebrata (animals with backbones)
• Class Aves (Birds)
• Order Galliformes
• Family Phasianidae
• Genus Gallus
• Species - G. domesticus