Unlike animals such as monkeys, which are known to have migrated from the Old to the New Worlds, chickens are not naturally migratory. They have a small home range and can’t fly or swim well. Their distribution throughout the world, then, is directly related to humans’ interest in the creatures.
Where do chickens come from?
A familiar sight to many of us around the world. Photograph: Anthony Lee/Getty Images/OJO Images RF Chickens are native to the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia, but over the last approximately 8,000 years, chickens have been domesticated and spread around the globe to become one of the most valued domesticated animals.
You could be asking “How did the chickens spread around the world?”
As such, their spread around the world is not just a tale of domestication, but one that is intimately linked to the movements of people around the world. Darwin was the first to suggest that all domestic chickens descended from the red junglefowl Gallus gallus.
Why are there so many chickens?
Their distribution throughout the world, then, is directly related to humans’ interest in the creatures. Chickens were likely first domesticated about 5,400 years ago in Southeast Asia, although archaeological evidence of wild chickens goes back even further, to a 12,000-year-old site in northern China.
This begs the query “Why aren’t there chickens in archaeology?”
Second, chickens are difficult to find archaeologically. Zooarchaeologist Tanya Peres of Florida State University explains that “chicken bones are thin, prone to breakage, and don’t survive as whole elements. ” This means that many archaeological specimens that might be chicken are currently categorized as generic birds .
Why do chickens dust?
The reasons why chickens do this and why it’s so effective is because dirt helps to:
Remove excess oil and loose debris
Keeps them cool in warm weather
Remove lice and other parasites
Is a fun social activity that they clearly enjoy.
She then proceeds to rub the dirt all over her body getting it deep into her feathers. There are a couple of benefits for chicks doing this; one is that the dust absorbs excess moisture and oils on their skin. The other is that it kills or disturbs lice hiding out in their coats.
This begs the question “Why are my chickens Dusty?”
It was from the chickens themselves. The majority of the dust was coming from them. There are a 4 things that contribute to dusty chickens. I have listed them in the order of their dust making ability from worst to least. #1 Dander: Chickens themselves make the most dust. Anything with feathers or hair really can make it.
Usually, chickens have favorite locations for dust baths and will return to them when needed, and when conditions are right. Now, don’t confuse a dust bath with a mud bath…chickens like silty, dry, dirt that is usually out of reach of aerial predators. So, naturally, they will pursue your lovely landscaping for their dust baths.
It can be as easy as building them a little sheltered dust bathing station. You’ll need to make a raised sandpit and fill it with sand and dry dirt. Wood shavings can also be a useful filler, and chickens seem to love it. Be sure that the sand is deep enough for your girls to burrow into.