Wingless Chickens

[mikarod]

If all birds have wings...what are emus and kiwis?

 

[briarpatchfarms]

they have wings but there just not big enough for flight dont they?

 

[amazondoc]

Emus have wings. Kiwis just have little nubs.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Honestly, If he did that on purpose, thats awfully cruel. Is it not in a chickens nature to "fly", roost, and generally be a chicken? Strange.......

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! That's where you get into the idea of what's normal and what's not.
My Silkies (and all my silkie feathered birds) are flightless.

Merry Christmas!
Lisa

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Quote:
Really?! I had no clue that silkies were flightless! Although, it makes alot of sense, now that I think about it!! You have to tell me, do they still try to fly and roost in high "perches" and whatnot?


Mostly, I would think the things couldnt walk right. I have never studied bird anatomy, but dont birds use their wings to balance theirselves? lol, I know its mean, but I would love to see one of them running!

 

[Black Feather]

Actually, there are lots of flightless birds. Penguins for example, mind you they do have wings, but on the whole I would think they had it a bit harder with those stubby little legs. Ostrich, Emu, Rea, Kiwi, Cassowaries, Kakapo (one of the rarest parrots in the world, and also a nocturnal bird), and a bunch of others. Some of these have wings and some do not, so flightless birds are not altogether rare. The main difference here is that the flightless chicken got it's flightless characteristics in one generation as a result of a genetic mutation whereas natural flightless birds evolved that way over many many generations so are more adapted to there lack of flight.

Urban Coyote

 

[Shaunb020]

I came across some wingless chicken news article on google, and I thought that was interesting. Anyone ever see some in real life?

 

[3riverschick]

Interesting. Here is a 1950 narrated film about the birds. Hatched from US eggs flown to Britain. It explains their genetics and management needs. Came from a breeding of White Minorcas and White Brahmas.
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/wingless-chicks
Best,
Karen

 

[Shaunb020]

Yeah I saw that one earlier. Any news on people who have them these days?