Chickens are very common birds that live all over the world. Many chickens live on farms where people take care of them. They have feathers to keep them warm and wings to help them jump. Even though they have wings, chickens cannot fly very high or very far. They mostly stay on the ground to look for food.
Every chicken has a sharp beak to help it eat. They also have a red part on top of their head called a comb. On their chin, they have a red part called a wattle. These red parts help the chicken stay cool on hot days. They have strong legs with four toes on each foot. Their feet have sharp claws that help them dig in the dirt.
On the farm, chickens spend most of the day looking for food. They like to eat seeds, grain, and even small bugs. They use their feet to scratch at the soil to find yummy snacks. At night, they go inside a safe house called a coop. This protects them from other animals while they sleep.
A female chicken is called a hen. A male chicken is called a rooster. Hens lay eggs in soft nests made of straw. Some eggs are white and some are brown. If a hen sits on her eggs to keep them warm, a tiny chick might hatch. Baby chicks are very soft and fuzzy when they are first born.
Chickens are very noisy animals. Roosters are famous for making a loud sound early in the morning. They say a loud call to wake everyone up. Hens make a clucking sound as they move around the yard. Small chicks make a high sound called a peep. They use these sounds to talk to each other every day.
