Poultry Judging Practice Test

The ancestor for the domestic chicken is which of the following?

1. European Wild Hen

2. Red Jungle Fowl

3. Common Pheasant

4. Green Jungle Fowl

The correct answer is: Red Jungle Fowl

The correct answer is the Red Jungle Fowl, which is widely acknowledged as the primary ancestor of the domestic chicken. This species, scientifically known as Gallus gallus, originates from Southeast Asia and has been domesticated for thousands of years. The domestication process involved selective breeding, which has led to the diverse breeds of domestic chickens we see today. The Red Jungle Fowl is closely related to domestic chickens in terms of genetics, behavior, and physical characteristics. This relationship is supported by research that shows a high degree of genetic similarity between the two, emphasizing that the traits found in domestic chickens are largely derived from their wild ancestor. In contrast, the other choices represent different species that, while they may share certain traits with chickens, do not have the same ancestral link. The European Wild Hen, Common Pheasant, and Green Jungle Fowl, while interesting in their own right, do not have the historical and genetic ties to the domestication process of chickens as the Red Jungle Fowl does. Thus, it is this specific lineage that makes the Red Jungle Fowl the correct answer in identifying the ancestor of domestic chickens.