Meet the World’s Oldest Chicken Breed Still in Existence

Everyone has heard the joke, “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But did you ever wonder who the original “chicken” was? All domesticated chickens had to come from somewhere, even the topic of this age-old riddle. The chicken responsible for the origins of our farm friends is the Red Junglefowl. It’s believed that this is the chicken from which all others originated, and it has a long history in Southeast Asia. The Red Junglefowl still exists today and was a tropical bird in the pheasant family before becoming a barnyard favorite.

The Incredible History of the Domesticated Chicken

There’s some debate about when chickens were officially domesticated. The average period is anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. Contrary to what you may believe, chickens were not domesticated initially for food or egg-laying ability. The first domesticated chickens were bred for fighting in a sport known as cockfighting. This was a popular activity throughout Southeast Asia and also served as a ritualistic act. In the ancient world, chickens like the Red Junglefowl were revered for their natural temperament. Breeding for the blood sport continued for thousands of years before chickens were even considered a source of food.

When chickens finally made it onto the menu, they were kept for both their meat and eggs. This led to breed dispersal beyond Southeast Asia, where more regions learned that they could be kept for food rather than a sport. Experts estimate that this process began approximately 3,500 years ago (circa 1,500 BCE). Over time, other DNA became intermixed with that of the Red Junglefowl. These early chickens were somewhat lanky, with little meat, and were kept more so for their eggs. The Ancient Egyptians had this process down to a science, and created heated incubators to hatch eggs. This allowed them to maintain broods of chickens for an extended period, providing a successful method for sustaining the species. As trade developed throughout the region, the exchange and cross-breeding of chickens gave rise to new breeds.

What Makes the Red Junglefowl Unique

The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) is known for its bold plumage. Their feathers are vibrant hues of red, orange, gold, bronze, and green. This brilliant display makes them well-known amongst chicken connoisseurs and owners. Red Junglefowl males also have a distinct red comb and wattle, while females have more subdued coloring and smaller combs and wattles. The colors of the male chickens help them attract mates during mating season. Females’ colors are muted, but they help camouflage them better than males, which is helpful when protecting their eggs.

While the build of this breed is skinnier than most domestic chickens, they are strong fliers. They’re known to roost in trees, unlike most domesticated chickens, which roost in hay beds or on the ground. Red Junglefowl are also known for their extreme pecking order. This dictates their social hierarchy and determines which bird has access to food and shelter. This strong social hierarchy also makes the breed intimidating in cockfighting, as they tend to assert dominance over other chickens. More often than not, this pecking order is law among flocks, but can be challenged if a chicken is up to the task.

Popular Descendants of the Junglefowl

Many domesticated chicken breeds today share DNA with the Red Junglefowl. However, several other Junglefowl species have contributed to the genetics of our modern-day chickens. These include the Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Grey Junglefowl, and Green Junglefowl. While modern-day breeds are considered a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl, DNA from other Junglefowl species can be found worldwide. Today, the Red Junglefowl is considered the wild ancestor of all domestic chickens. It’s also one of the closest living animals to dinosaurs, specifically the group known as theropods. According to Audubon, two well-known descendants with Red Junglefowl DNA are the Jersey Giant and the White Leghorn. These chickens were bred for completely different purposes, but remain staples in chicken coops to this day.

The Jersey Giant was bred for its size, which can reach up to 13 to 15 pounds. This is relatively large for a chicken, making it meatier than its ancestors. Alternatively, the White Leghorn is known for its egg-laying abilities. This species can lay 5-7 eggs per week, making it a top choice for chicken keepers. While the exact number of chicken breeds is debated, there are more than 1,600 recognized chicken breeds worldwide. This number is constantly changing because even more breeds are created when chickens mate. As a result, it’s rare to find purebred chicken breeds these days. This makes the history of the Red Junglefowl even more significant, as its genetic legacy is found in almost all modern chicken breeds.

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