Page 34 - aug22_Neat

Creatures in the garden - chickens

The chicken (Gallus domesticus) is a domesticated junglefowl species, originally from India and
Southeastern Asia. We have many varieties here in Botswana, and it is an incredibly popular
backyard animal to have in one’s yard. They are kept as a source of eggs, meat and even as
pets, so the likelihood is that chickens might one day get into your garden.

Chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, with a total
population in the billions according to Wikipedia. There are said to be more chickens in the
world than any other bird. Chickens may live for 5 –10 years, depending on the breed, and
live together in flocks and have a communal approach to the incubation of eggs and raising
of young. Individual chickens in a flock will dominate others, establishing a ‘pecking order’,
with dominant individuals having priority for food access and nesting locations.

Chickens are omnivores, and in the wild, they often scratch at the soil to search for seeds,
insects, and even animals as large as lizards, small snakes, or sometimes young mice. They
will also eat the leaves of many plants and I’ve found that succulents are also a favourite.
I’ve kept chickens for over ten years, and they frequently get into my garden, quite often to
sneakily lay eggs, or dig up recently planted bulbs. Provided that you don’t leave them there for
too long, the destruction will be minimal, plus you will have the bonus of chicken manure.
34 Text & Pics by S.C (Ref: Wikipedia)