There is an opinion that birds can ascend to heights of 5-8 kilometers, however, there is one species that cannot stay in the air for even a minute — chickens. Why has nature deprived them of this skill?
In fact, nature has not deprived anyone. Some breeds of chickens are capable of flying to small heights or overcoming obstacles, but this is more of an exception than the rule. Most of these birds prefer to move on the ground, although this was not always the case.
It’s All About Evolution and... Humans
The ability to fly is an innate instinct present in all birds, which helps them avoid danger and find safe places for nesting and resting. However, how high and how far they can ascend depends on body size and wing proportions. Some chicks have long and powerful wings, while others have short and weak ones, which do not allow them to stay in the air for long. However, today it is practically impossible to encounter the former, as in the process of domestication all chicks have changed their physical parameters and lost the ability to fly.
Chickens, like other domestic birds, were domesticated thousands of years ago. Primarily, they lost the ability to fly because they no longer needed to escape from predators or search for food in the air. Instead, they adapted to life on the ground, where food is always available and specially prepared shelters exist.
Moreover, humans managed to breed chicks with more developed flight muscles (chicken breasts) to obtain more white meat.
White meat is popular due to its beneficial properties: unlike red meat, it contains less fat and cholesterol, and is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
Although it may seem paradoxical, the large flight muscles of a chick hinder its ability to fly. For flight, birds require the right balance of body mass and wing area.
Why Do Chicks Need Wings?
As for chicks, their wings serve not only the function of flight. These small fluffy wings are necessary for spatial orientation, maneuvering, and maintaining balance.
Secondly, wings help chicks move quickly. Thirdly, they provide protection for the eyes. Chicks, like other birds, have their eyes located on the sides of their heads, which provides a wide field of view and a quick reaction to danger. However, this placement also has a downside — the eyes become vulnerable to dust and debris, which can cause irritation or damage. When a chick moves (runs or simply walks), its wings naturally lift, protecting the eyes from dirt.
