The domestic chicken is thought to be a descendant of a species of red jungle fowl found in India and Southeast Asia. Although there are several theories about their evolution, it is most widely accepted that the chicken was probably domesticated in Thailand around 2000 B.C. Evidence has been found that suggests domestication could have occurred as long ago as 8000 B.C in Harappa (modern day Pakistan). Either way, chicken has been with us for a long, long time. The Romans gave it the name “gallus domesticus” which still stands today as the chicken’s scientific name. Gallus means ‘comb’, which is the red appendage on top of a chicken’s head. The comb is one of the characteristics that differentiate chickens from other types of birds. It has long been believed that chickens arrived in the Americas with early Spanish and Portuguese explorers, but new evidence suggests that chickens arrived with the Polynesians almost one hundred years before the Europeans. In fact, it is the skeleton of a chicken that is the centerpiece of conclusive archeological evidence of Polynesian contact with the Americas.

The chicken has quite an illustrious history. Romans believed chickens were sacred to the God of War; Mars. Chickens blood has been associated with spiritual ceremonies, and in ancient times, the chicken was often the remedy for any number of maladies. Whereas chickens feet may not be the cure for joint pain, chicken soup is still believed to be an effective remedy for the common cold. In many cultures the Cock (what we call a rooster) was revered and worshipped for its ferocity and strength. It is believed that domestication of the Hen (an adult female) for eggs and meat was a by-product of the breeding of Roosters for fighting. It was believed, the greater the prowess of the male, the more productive the female. Cockfighting is an ancient sport that is found in almost every culture. Other than hunting, it is considered mans oldest sport. It wasn’t until the 18^th century that cockfighting was deemed cruel and inhumane. Even though illegal; you will still find the sport underground in many countries including The United States.

With the suppression of cockfighting, the breeding of chickens focused on egg and meat production.

In the 1800’s, chicken farming was mainly an individual family affair. Chickens were kept for their eggs, and only occasionally did one end up on the dinner table. Eggs were versatile and plentiful considering an average hen will lay one egg every other day. An average family farm kept between 15- 40 chickens. A chicken being sold for their meat was a rare enterprise, and when it occurred, it was a sideline business of a farm at best. It wasn’t until the 1920’s, when the ‘broiler’ was bred that meat production began in earnest. A broiler is simply a term of reference to a chicken that is raised exclusively for its meat. Most early chicken farms were in the South. The weather and available land made the area ideal. Even today Georgia is considered the chicken capital of the world.

Early chicken farming consisted of several different entities. There were separate feed mills, hatcheries, growers and processors. In the 1940’s ambitious entrepreneurs began to consolidate the process and create the integrated industry we know today.

It was in the 1950’s that chicken farming became an agricultural powerhouse and has been growing ever since. In 1960 the average American consumed about 26 lbs of chicken per year. That number has almost tripled to over 85lbs per person today! In comparison to beef, chicken is perceived to be leaner, and less expensive. That and its versatility in cooking are reasons for its popularity. Over 35 billion pounds of chicken are produced each year. Between eggs, chicken and turkey meat, the industry is producing over $30 billion a year. Chickens are the provider of 25% of the global meat supply, and The United States is the world’s largest producer and exporter.