In the world today there are some 20 billion chickens. They are the most abundant bird in the world, and almost all of them exist to feed us people. They are the world's  most delicious bird, but where did they come from and what makes them special? Good news, I have the answers to these questions. So join me for Part 1 of our exploration on the domesticated chicken.

To support Bird of the Week and gain access to our second podcast, What's up with that's Bird's Name? click on through to Patreon: www.patreon.com/birdoftheweek

Want birds in your inbox? Drop me a line at [email protected] and I'll hook you up with a free weekly bird.

Notes:

• Red-billed Quelea: https://ebird.org/species/rebque1?siteLanguage=en_AU
• Red Junglefowl: https://ebird.org/species/redjun?siteLanguage=en_AU
• Where the word rooster came from: https://www.etymonline.com/word/rooster
• Chicken purring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOkqOPfMQj4&ab_channel=mercyforanimals
• Tidbitting: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2017/07/tidbitting-what-it-is-and-why-chickens.html