Poultry Judging Practice Test

What is the ancestor of the domestic chicken?

1. Wild turkey

2. Red jungle fowl

3. Barred rock

4. Golden pheasant

The correct answer is: Red jungle fowl

The correct answer is that the ancestor of the domestic chicken is the red jungle fowl. This species, scientifically known as Gallus gallus, is native to Southeast Asia and is recognized as the primary wild ancestor from which domestic chickens were derived through domestication processes. Domestication of the red jungle fowl began thousands of years ago, during which humans selected for certain traits such as size, behavior, and egg production. This selective breeding has led to the extensive variety of domestic chicken breeds we see today. Understanding the lineage of domestic chickens is crucial for poultry judging, breeding, and farming practices, as it highlights the importance of genetic traits passed down from the red jungle fowl and informs decisions related to health, behavior, and production efficiency in domestic breeds.