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7

Domestic Poultry

Nora Pihkala and Yuko Sato

Natural History

Several species of birds in the orders Galliformes (chickens, turkeys, quail, pheasants, partridges)
and Anseriformes (ducks, geese) have been domesticated for use as food, sources of feathers, or
pets. All species covered in this chapter hatch precocial chicks that are fully covered with downy
feathers and are able to run and eat on their own shortly after hatching. Although parents of these
species do not regurgitate food for their young, they do show their chicks what to eat and provide
warmth and protection from the environment and predators.
Raising chickens, quail, and turkeys as a backyard hobby and for exhibition in poultry shows are
popular pastimes. All manner of poultry are raised, from crossbreeds to purebred chickens, tur-
keys, ducks, geese, pheasants, and quail. Although many people choose to raise these birds in
elaborate coops, poultry are hardy birds and do well under most circumstances provided that
appropriate nutrition, environmental conditions, and protection from predators are provided.
Duck and goose chicks have three toes facing forward that are fully webbed for swimming, with
feet that are usually orange. The rear digit is reduced but present slightly above the plane of the foot.
Galliform chicks have an anisodactyl toe arrangement with three toes facing forward and one back.
Because state and federal permits are required to be able to rehabilitate wild birds, it is critical to
identify the species of the chick(s). Contacting your local wildlife rehabilitation center or avian
veterinarian or even searching the internet is a good option for positively identifying stray chicks.
It often requires a professional eye to tell the difference between a domestic and a wild chick of
similar species. As a general rule, chicks of most wild species have mottled or striped coloring, and
are never bright yellow. However, domestic chicken chicks, turkey poults, ducklings, goslings, and
game bird chicks can also have mottled or striped coloring, depending on the breed or variety. Wild
rail chicks are often very small, fluffy, and black, and may be mistaken for chicken or quail chicks;
they are best differentiated by their extremely long thin toes. Wild relatives of the species covered
in this chapter are covered in Chapters 5, 6, and 8.

Domestication of Chickens

Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) belong to the order Galliformes, family Phasianidae, and were
domesticated from the Red Jungle Fowl native to Asia. Chickens were originally domesticated for
cockfighting, and it was for this purpose that chickens spread throughout the world (Smith 1976).

Hand-Rearing Birds, Second Edition. Edited by Rebecca S. Duerr and Laurie J. Gage.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.