Chicken

Two chickens perching on a roost

A chicken is a domesticated species of fowl bird. Male chickens are often called cockerels, roosters, or cocks. Female chickens are often called hens or pullets. The intelligent races of Magnula have kept chickens as a domesticated animal for time immemorial, traditionally as a source of food (consuming both their meat and eggs) but also as pets. Somewhat more recently, chickens are also bred for cockfighting, a sport which is quite popular in some places.

It is believed that chickens are one of the most common and widespread domesticated animals in the world, being found in effectively every country. Though it cannot be definitively proven, chickens are also potentially the most populous bird species. A testament to their wide distribution, there are numerous cultural references to chickens across the world - from literature to mythology.

Quite bizarrely, the exact 'origin point' of the chicken is unknown to modern zoologists. The zoological communities of most nations have attempted to claim credit as the original homeland of this populous poultry.

## **Biology and Habitat**

Chickens are omnivores. In the wild, they often forage the soil for seeds, insects, and even animals like lizards, small snakes, and young mice.

The average chicken lives for about 5-10 years, although this varies from breed to breed.

Roosters can usually be differentiated from hens by their plumage of long, flowing tails and shiny feathers on their necks and backs, which are typically a different colour. However, this is not the case for all breeds. Adult chickens have a fleshy crest on their heads called a comb and hanging flaps of skin on either side of their beaks called wattles. In a majority of breeds, these are more prominent in males.

Domestic chickens are not capable of long-distance flight, although lighter chickens are generally capable of flying short distances. Chickens may occasionally fly briefly to explore their surroundings, but is more commonly done to flee from perceived danger.

### **Behaviour**

Chickens are social birds and live together in flocks. They have a communal approach to the incubation of eggs and raising of young. In a flock, certain chickens will dominate others in order to establish a pecking order - which in turn determines food access or nesting locations. Chickens are known to, if possible, gang up on a weak or inexperienced predator.

When a rooster finds food, he may call other chickens to eat first. This is done by clucking in a high pitch and is similarly observed in mother hens with their chicks. Chickens also give different warning calls when they sense a predator approaching. Perhaps the most famous vocalisation, though, is the crowing of roosters. A rooster's crowing is a loud and sometimes shrill call that sends a territorial signal to other roosters. Though hens are also capable of crowing, it is more commonly seen in males. Crowing contests are a traditional sport in several countries.

   To initiate courting, some roosters may dance in a circle around or near a hen. The dance triggers a response in the hen and when she responds to his call the rooster may proceed to reproduction. Hens will often try to lay in nests that already contain eggs and have been known to move eggs from neighbouring nests to their own. As a result, a flock will use a few preferred locations, rather than a different nest for every bird. Hens often express a preference to lay in the same location. Under natural conditions, most birds lay only until a clutch is complete and they will then incubate all the eggs. She will sit on the nest and will only rarely leave to eat, drink, or dust-bathe. Fertile chicken eggs hatch after about 21 days but hens usually remain on the nest for about 2 days after the first chick hatches. Hens fiercely guard their chicks and will lead them to food and water. She continues to care for them until they are several weeks old.

## **Domestic Use**

### **Farming**

It is estimated that millions of chickens are reared every year as a source of meat and eggs. The vast majority of poultry is raised in small, local farms. In the countryside of most nations, in villages and hamlets, a lot of families may own a chicken or two for consistent eggs or as a meat supply. In the cities and larger towns, chickens are often kept to farms outside the settlement and their products are transported into the settlement itself.

Chickens farmed for meat are called broilers. Chickens will naturally live for 5-10 years, but broiler breeds typically take less than 6 weeks to reach slaughter size. Though practices vary from farm to farm, it is commonly accepted that a broiler should be slaughtered at about 14 weeks of age.

Chickens farmed primarily for eggs are called layer hens. Some hen breeds can produce over 300 eggs per year. After 12 months of laying, a layer hen's egg-laying ability starts to decline to the point of commercial unviability. Typically, laying hens are then slaughtered. Force moulting and temporary starvation is also a usable technique and is believed to re-invigorate egg production, although animal rights activists claim that this method is cruel.

### **As Pets**

Keeping chickens as pets is a surprisingly popular practice in a majority of nations. Many people obtain chickens for their egg production but often name them and treat them as any other pet likes cats or dogs. Chickens provide companionship and have individual personalities. They will eat from a trusted owner's hand, jump onto one's lap, respond to and follow their handlers, and even show affection.

Chickens are social and intelligent birds, and many find their behaviour entertaining. Certain breeds are generally docile and are often recommended as good pets.

### **Cockfighting**

A cockfight is a contest held in a ring called a cockpit between two roosters known as gamecocks. Gamecocks are not typical farm chickens, for they are specially bred and trained for stamina and strength. The comb and wattle are often removed because intact ones are seen as a disadvantage in a match. Cockfighting is considered a traditional and popular sport in many countries and is typically used as a gambling game. However, in more recent years, it has been claimed by some to be a form of animal cruelty.

### **Diseases and Ailments**

Chickens are susceptible to several parasites, including lice, mites, ticks, fleas, and worms, as well as other diseases. Most famously, they can transmit salmonella, a bacteria, in their dander and faeces.

## **Combat**

Chickens are a domesticated species and thus are not typically aggressive towards most people. However, there are circumstances in which a chicken or chickens may attack an individual. Most often, this is an attempt to protect their young, eggs, or nest as mother hens are notoriously protective over these things. Roosters, to, may engage what they perceive to be intruders on their territory or a threat to their flock. Sometimes, gamecocks used for cockfighting may 'go rogue' and become senselessly aggressive.

In a fight, a chicken only has a few weapons at it's disposal. A chicken's beak, typically used for sifting through soil, is the most expected form of attack. Though it has a sharp point and can pierce most races' skin, a single chicken's beak is unlikely to do any major damage to most people. A chicken's claws, to, are unlike to be deadly on their own. However, chickens are social animals and will often attack in flocks. Through sheer numbers alone, a flock of chickens can do surprising amounts of damage to a single threat.

## **Variants**

Having been domesticated for thousands of years, many different breeds of chicken have developed. A combination of geographic isolation and selection for desirable characteristics created regional variants with distinct physical and behavioural traits which are passed on to their offspring. The main distinguishing factors for chicken breeds are physical traits (size, plumage colour, comb type, etc.) and their primary use, whether for eggs, meat, ornamental purpose, or a combination.

### **Baralaya**

The Baralaya is a Baratarian breed of domestic chicken, created from birds brought over from the Empire of Man and Roylandia. It was bred as a triple-purpose breed, for meat, eggs, and cockfighting.

Soon after the Pirate Republic's founding, pirates from the Empire of Man brought to Barataria several varieties of game fowl from across the Imperial provinces. The Baratarians crossed these Imperial breeds, and subsequently re-crossed them with birds of Roylandian origin. These birds were then selectively bred for wide, extended tails and a curving beak, fierce eyes, and a courageous expression - reflective of the pirate mentality. In this manner the Baralaya was created, the name chosen in honour of the Pirate Republic of Barataria which had refined them.

Baralayas are characterised by their stately carriage; pea comb; abundant, flowing hackle feathers and long, well-spread tail. They are very heat tolerant and make excellent foragers. The hens lay small eggs and are good brooders. The breed has been developed in standard and smaller sizes. Standard-sized roosters weigh on average 5 lbs and hens 3.5 lbs; smaller roosters weigh about 1.6 lbs and hens about 1.3 lbs. Baralayas typically come in 3 colours: black, black-breasted red, and white.