• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Price of Meat

Price of Meat

Finding The TRUE Price of Meat

  • Home
  • About
  • Recent
  • Basics
    • Sauces & Seasonings
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Tools & Products
  • Meats
    • Beef
    • Fish
    • Pork
    • Poultry
    • Domesticated
    • Processed
    • Wild
  • Behind The Counter
You are here: Home / Meats / Poultry / 10+ Curious Facts About Chicken Meat

10+ Curious Facts About Chicken Meat

Brian Adee | May 19, 2022
Ad Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate & via other partners, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Chicken Meat

How much do you know about the most popular poultry in the world? We’ve collected some of our favorite chicken meat facts to share with you here!

Quick Navigation

  • 1. Chickens Have Been Domesticated for Meat Since 2000 B.C.
  • 2. There’s A Big Difference Between Commercial and Purebred Chicken
  • 3. Mechanically Separated Chicken Is A Very Low Cost Protein
  • 4. The Ancient Greeks Prized Chicken Meat As A Delicacy
  • 5. Today’s Meat Chickens Are Descended from Cockfighting
  • 6. The Fastest Growing Chickens Can Be Roaster Ready in 12 Weeks
  • 7. Chicken Meat Is Healthier Than Red Meat
  • 8. Whole Chickens Come In Three Official Sizes
  • 9. Chicken Nuggets Were Invented By A Cornell Professor
  • 10. You Can Raise Chickens for Meat In Your Backyard

1. Chickens Have Been Domesticated for Meat Since 2000 B.C.

Chickens raised for meat are all descended from four wild Southeast Asian jungle fowl.

One of these, the red jungle fowl, is still found in the wild today and is believed to be the primary ancestor of most domesticated chickens. Prior to that, biologists speculate that chickens were descended from dinosaurs!

2. There’s A Big Difference Between Commercial and Purebred Chicken

The American Poultry Association, established in 1873, recognizes more than 350 different physical characteristics and combinations that can be present in chickens.

Purebred chickens are bred primarily for their appearance, while commercial chickens are specialized hybrids designed solely to efficiently produce eggs and meat.

3. Mechanically Separated Chicken Is A Very Low Cost Protein

In addition to its low fat content and affordable price, chicken meat that has been mechanically separated has a nutrient value almost identical to whole meat chicken.

What’s more, it helps to minimize waste from poultry processing, making it a more environmentally friendly meat overall.

4. The Ancient Greeks Prized Chicken Meat As A Delicacy

Chicken was a common addition to the dining tables at festive galas in Greece. They bred the chickens on the island of Delos, and held them in such high esteem that you’ll find pottery richly decorated with chicken and rooster motifs.

5. Today’s Meat Chickens Are Descended from Cockfighting

A brutal sport that developed in Southeast Asia, cockfighting pits two roosters against each other in a fight to the death.

While we absolutely cannot condone this practice (and it is illegal in the United States), it led to the development of larger and more muscular birds with broad breasts — the ancestors of today’s meat chickens. Side note – we also love roosters as meat birds in the yard.

6. The Fastest Growing Chickens Can Be Roaster Ready in 12 Weeks

A cross of the Cornish chicken and the White Rock, known as a Cornish Cross, is the fastest growing bird for meat production.

Under optimal conditions (unfortunately, under factory conditions rather than pasture-raised), they can reach up to 10 pounds in weight within 8 to 12 weeks — big enough to make a roast chicken to feed the whole family.

7. Chicken Meat Is Healthier Than Red Meat

The American Heart Association recommends that anyone looking to improve their heart and overall health begin to replace red meats (such as beef and pork) with chicken, fish, and beans.

It’s much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than red meat, especially if you choose cuts that have been trimmed of their fat.They work really well on the grill.

8. Whole Chickens Come In Three Official Sizes

If you’re in the United States and looking to cook a whole bird, you’ll have three sizes to choose from: Fryers, Broilers, and Roasters.

Fryers are the smallest, weighing just 2.5 to 4 pounds when dressed and ready for sale and ready for production in just seven weeks.

Broilers weigh between 4 and 6 pounds, and roasters anywhere from 6 to 12 pounds fully grown.

9. Chicken Nuggets Were Invented By A Cornell Professor

During World War II, the government asked poultry farmers to step up their production to meet demands — but after the war was over, not many people wanted to go to the trouble of preparing and roasting whole chickens at home.

To remedy this, professor Robert C. Baker of Cornell University developed a method of processing chicken into a mash, held together with vinegar, salt, grains, and spices.

Originally called “chicken sticks”, this method laid the groundwork for today’s chicken nugget made famous by McDonald’s.

10. You Can Raise Chickens for Meat In Your Backyard

After checking with your local city ordinances regarding poultry, you can raise a small flock of broilers within 8 to 12 weeks — making them an ideal addition to summertime gardening activities.

Be sure to arrange processing well in advance with a local butcher, as summer is the peak time for slaughter and processing.

Like the post? Link to it! –> https://www.priceofmeat.com/425/chicken-meat-facts/

Related

Filed Under: Poultry

About Brian Adee

Brian has been fascinated by food and drinks since he was a kid -- from baking and cooking beside his mom to raiding the kitchen cabinets with his brother in search of the perfect beverage mix. He's worked every restaurant position imaginable, and now writes about the effects of food, drink, and community on personal and environmental health.

Primary Sidebar

Get New Posts via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Footer

Recent Posts

Crab Meat(1)

What Is The Green Stuff In Crabs?

what do pasture raised chickens eat

What Do Pasture Raised Chickens Eat? Here’s Why It Matters.

what does perch taste like

What Does Perch Taste Like?

Random Post

Blue Nalu

BlueNalu Explained

Best Jerky Slicer Results

3+ Best Jerky Slicer Options for Home Processing

Camel Meat

Camel Meat: Tasting, Cooking & Buying

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search!

Follow Price of Meat

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sitemap · Copyright © 2022 · Made in ATL · Have a Lovely Day!