Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

306 Shares
306 Shares
SatMay 4

International Respect for Chickens Day – May 4, 2024

International Respect for Chickens Day is on May 4. It is a day to promote compassion and respectful treatment of chickens and other domestic fowl. United Poultry Concerns started on this day in 2005. Karen Davis started United Poultry Concerns not just for chickens, but also for other domestic farm birds like turkeys and ducks. Raising these birds is for food production, experiments, education, and entertainment. The International Respect for Chickens Day aims to reduce the pain and plight of these birds by raising awareness about their condition among the public. The day also emphasizes the importance and benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

History of International Respect for Chickens Day

They say that the chickens are descendants of avian dinosaurs. We can say for sure that these magnificent birds haven’t forgotten about their ancestors just by looking at their ferocity. Male chickens are called cocks, and females are called hens. Biddy, rooster, capon, chick, pullet, etc. are a few name variants used for different situations and conditions. Chickens are the most widespread domesticated birds that can be found just about anywhere there is a human population.

The wild chickens evolved from wild jungle fowl. They are chicken-like birds that lived in parts of Southeast Asia some 50 million years ago. D.N.A. analysis and mathematical models trace the origin of chickens back to 58,000 years ago. There is an interesting insight into these numbers. The first amniotic eggs appeared approximately 340 million years ago, and the first chicken appeared approximately 58,000 years ago. This settles the age-old question of who came first — the chicken or the egg.

Domestication of chicken happened some 8,000 years ago in Southeast Asia and then spread all over the world. Chickens were initially not used as a source of food. They were used for entertainment through cockfighting. It was only between 400 and 200 B.C., during the Hellenistic period, that people in the region of the Southern Levant started using chickens as a source of food. But the condition of these amazing birds has never been good since the day we domesticated them. They suffered due to the living conditions and constant abuse. To make a better world for these domesticated birds and to create a better conscience, United Poultry Concerns started International Respect for Chickens Day, and we are working to raise better compassion towards chickens and other domesticated fowl.

International Respect for Chickens Day timeline

6000 B.C.
Domestication of Chickens

Genome studies suggest that the first domestic chicken appeared some 8,000 years ago.

1400 B.C.
Chickens in Egypt

Chickens reach Egypt for cockfighting.

400 — 200 B.C.
Chicken as a Food Source

People in Southern Levant use chicken as a source of food.

2005
International Respect for Chickens Day

United Poultry Concerns starts International Respect for Chickens Day.

International Respect for Chickens Day FAQs

How many chickens are in the World 2021?

According to Food and Agriculture Organization’s data, there are 25.9 billion chickens in the world.

How many chickens are eaten every day in the world?

Around 197 million chickens are consumed every day in the world.

What is the most abused farm animal?

Chickens are the most abused animals on the planet. They are raised to be a source of food, with limited space to even move and with near to zero freedom.

How to Observe International Respect for Chickens Day

  1. Raise a chicken

    Chickens are amazing birds that can be raised as pets. They are smart, curious, and friendly. On this day, we can start to raise one as a pet and not as a food source.

  2. Go vegan

    A vegan lifestyle is characterized by choosing not to use animal products. This is a day to choose a vegan life and say no to meat and other animal-derived foods.

  3. Raise awareness

    The best thing to do on this day is to raise awareness. We can share the photos showcasing the condition of domestic fowl on the farms. It can help raise some sympathy towards chickens.

5 Facts About Chickens That You Should Know

  1. Facial recognition

    Chickens can recognize more than 100 faces of other chickens.

  2. Vibrant color vision

    Chickens can see the colors just like we do; they have full-color vision.

  3. Dreams of freedom

    Chickens are dreamers just like us, and they can experience rapid eye movement during sleep.

  4. Limited eggs per wild chicken

    A wild chicken can only lay up to 15 eggs during the breeding season, every year.

  5. The American superiority

    There are more than 9.22 billion chickens in America, making it the largest chicken producer in the world.

Why International Respect for Chickens Day is Important

  1. Chicken are amazing birds

    Chickens are amazing birds. They are not just a source of food. They deserve nothing less than a day to make people aware of their conditions and suffering.

  2. Pain is the same for all

    No animals willingly allow us to slaughter them for food. The pain is the same for every living being as it is for us. A day to let the world know about the pain of these poor birds is a great reminder for all humanity.

  3. Freedom is not just for humans

    We fought for freedom long ago and won. We all know the importance of freedom. Other living beings deserve the same freedom. No living being the size of a chicken should be kept inside a cage the size of an A4 paper.

International Respect for Chickens Day dates

YearDateDay
2024May 4Saturday
2025May 4Sunday
2026May 4Monday
2027May 4Tuesday
2028May 4Thursday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.