Time and again, we hear questions and receive inquiries about the chicken’s ability to fly. In this blog, we’ve got to answer and explain in detail everything that sparks your curiosity about these birds flying skills.
Can these little birds actually fly? How far and high can these birds fly? Do chickens have the power to migrate? Without further ado, here’s the ultimate answer!
Are Chickens Able to Fly?
Perhaps, one of the rarest things that would come to mind when we talk about chickens is their ability to fly. Since, nowadays, chickens are mainly raised for their egg-laying and meat production capabilities, people are not quite interested in their flight powers.
But still, these birds are naturally intelligent and intuitive and possess wings and wild instincts. So, the remaining question we have to ask is: Are chickens able to fly?
The straightforward answer to that interesting question is an absolute yes! Chickens can actually fly, make short trips to go for higher vantages, and cross over the gates and fence quickly.
Generally speaking, unless the wings of these little birds are clipped, most of the chicken species have the amazing power of flight. They can fly to go across the garden and pen or hop over the fence. The chicken breeds can even go far quite a distance when gliding downhill or under favorable weather conditions.
However, it would be fair to assume that the majority of chicken species have diminished abilities when it comes to flying. And yes, most birds cannot really sustain a flight for longer than a few more seconds.
What Are the Usual Reasons Why Chickens Fly?
Now that we finally set the records straight that chickens do really fly, the next thing in mind would be, why do these birds fly? Is it part of the chicken’s main instincts, survival mode abilities, or do they just naturally go flight mode? Well, chicken breeds fly because it’s a matter of survival for them.
Facts showcase that our present-day domesticated chickens descend from the wild jungle flock from the Asian continent. In the wild arena, it’s totally natural for these breeds to roam freely and actually fly.
During those times, chickens make use of their wings to escape the attack of predators and hide in trees at night time. Staying close to the ground would be too risky and dangerous for them.
So, if you’re wondering why you often find your cute little hens sitting at a tree nearby, they probably got it from their inherited instinct. Furthermore, the other reason why chickens do fly is that they search for shelter, protection, food, and perches.
How Far Can Chickens Able Fly?
To know the exact distance how far a chicken can go when they fly and roam the sky actually depends on the breed. Usually, an average chicken possessing intact primary feathers and well-shaped flight muscles can cover a bound of thirty feet in a single leap.
Most often than not, these birds can reach a smaller height of ten feet and span distances of forty to fifty feet. The longest flight ever recorded was three hundred feet, which lasted over thirteen seconds.
How High Can Chickens Able to Fly?
Generally speaking, the standard chicken breed can manage flight distances of up to ten feet or three meters and can for greater heights of around fifty feet or fifteen meters.
But then again, every chicken breed possesses a unique aptitude for flying. Most of the time, while chickens having a heavier weight would not even make it to the fence, a lighter breed might do well.
How Fast Can Chickens Able Fly?
Over the years, chicken breeders and owners have let their chickens go for a trial to determine how fast they are able to fly. Facts show that the fastest-breaking record falls under the range of seven to twelve meters per hour.
All in all, these birds can run quickly at a speed of ten meters per hour. This record is way faster compared to the standard speed an ordinary human can run-that is around seven to eight meters per hour. However, chickens can only sustain this speed for a second or two.
How Long Can Chickens Able to Fly?
Since there are a bunch of chicken breeds out there, it’s pretty difficult to pinpoint the exact figure for how long these birds can fly.
But according to different sources, the longest flight time and distance ever recorded for a modern chicken is around thirteen seconds for a distance of three hundred feet. Studies suggest that other strong, lightweight chicken breeds can go on a light mode for a more extended period of time.
When Do Chickens Fly?
Chickens usually roam the sky and go for heights when they desire to reach a high vantage point or must travel for a distance quickly.
Also, these birds easily turn into flight mode when they feel happy, excited, and startled. And yes, most of the time, due to their natural survival instincts, chicken breeds fly to escape captivity and avoid dangers brought by attacking prey.
At What Age Chickens Start to Fly?
While it’s always based on how high the brooder’s sides are, one can see their baby chicks attempt flying as early as one week old. Usually, you can expect these little birds to fly on top of their feeder and waterer, reach the rim of their brooder, and go back to the floor.
What are the Types of Chickens That Are Able to Fly?
Now that we have finished discussing all the details of whether chickens turn flight mode and how long, fast, far, or high they can do so, let’s proceed to what are the types of chickens that can fly well. The truth is there are specific chicken breeds that are more accomplished when it comes to flying at a distance.
In general, the more a domestic chicken breed is closer to its ancient ties and jungle fowl cousins, and the lightweight it is, the better its flying skills will be. The most outstanding flight chicken breeds include the following:
- Ancona
- Araucana
- Red Stars
- Game Breeds
- Hamburgs
- Red Stars
- Japanese Bantams
- Welsummers
- Cubalayas
- Polish
- Phoenix
- Brabanter
- Norweigan Jaerhon
- Spitzhauben
What are the Types of Chickens that Cannot Fly?
On the other hand, there are few chicken breeds that, for some reason, are flightless or, much worse, they can only handle a few jumps for a certain number of feet. On top of everything, there are types of chickens that won’t even try or attempt to fly in the first place.
These birds have either giant body shapes, poorly developed feathers, and lacked tone muscles, preventing them from flying and gliding. To mention below is a list of poor and no-flyers chicken breeds:
- Cochin
- Chantecler
- Faverolle
- Langshan
- Jersey Giant
- Orpington
- Sultan
- Wyandotte
- Rhode Island Red
- Polish
Frequently Asked Questions
Finally, for this part of the article, we’ve collected the top three most searched questions on the web about the chicken’s ability to fly. So, without further ado, let’s get moving, and together, let’s know all the details one by one!
Are Chickens Considered Flightless Birds?
No, chickens are not flightless birds at all. Certainly, it is no doubt that people often assume and consider chickens as flightless birds. But as we’ve mentioned earlier, this is not the truth. While the flying ability of the chicken usually depends on a specific breed, they can actually fly.
These little birds can go over for short distances by crossing the fence. Although most chickens are too small and don’t have well-developed muscles, this does not necessarily mean that they cannot fly at all.
Do Chickens Have the Ability to Migrate?
No, the chickens are not migratory birds. The ancestors of the chickens can be traced back to the tropical jungles located in the Southeast Asian part of the globe.
But over the last 8,000 years, chicken breeds have become one of the most valuable domesticated animals to lay eggs and produce meats. So, it’s safe to say that these little birds are not the typical forest birds that can go for long-distance flying.
Do Domestic Chicken Breeds Fly?
One cannot entirely conclude and say that domestic chickens cannot fly, but most of these chicken breeds are terrible fliers. As you might probably know now, chickens descend from the jungle fowls, which can certainly fly and glide.
However, over the past years, domestic chickens have been raised for egg and meat production. On top of everything, these birds are much heavier and larger compared to their ancient counterparts years ago.
Do you like to explore in detail why specific chicken breeds cannot freely fly and roam the sky? Get ready to discover more about the flight abilities of chickens in this YouTube video gladly brought to us by The China Project.
Conclusion
Indeed, chickens can actually fly, glide, and roam the sky! While their distinctive flying abilities always depend on their type and breed, the majority of these birds can go into flight mode.
Although in our modern times, chickens are more domesticated for livestock, egg, and meat production, this does not automatically mean they cannot fly. So, the next time you’re wondering if chickens can fly, the quick answer is 100% yes!
