How Chickens Spread Around the World: A Timeline from Asia to Europe
Nov 19, 2025 • Chicken Origins • 7 minute read
Chickens may be a global species today, but their journey across continents took thousands of years. Originating in Southeast Asia, these birds gradually spread through trade, exploration, and cultural exchange. This article walks you through the timeline of how chickens expanded from their wild ancestors in Asia to become one of the world’s most widespread domesticated animals.
Early Domestication in Southeast Asia
The domesticated chicken traces its roots back more than 7,000 years to Southeast Asia, primarily from the red junglefowl and, in some regions, the grey junglefowl.
Early domestication likely began as humans started settling in agricultural communities, using chickens for food, ritual purposes, and cockfighting.
Archaeological findings show chicken bones in ancient settlements across Thailand, Vietnam, and China, marking the first steps of their domestication.
The Movement Into China and India
By around 5,000 years ago, domesticated chickens had spread north into China and west into India through early trade routes and cultural exchanges.
In these regions, chickens became integrated into local agriculture and religious practices, further solidifying their importance in daily life.
Arrival in the Middle East Through Early Trade
As civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia and the Middle East, trade routes expanded between Asia and the ancient Near East.
Chickens likely arrived in these regions around 4,000 years ago, transported by merchants and travelers along early Silk Road–style pathways.
Evidence from ancient art and writings shows chickens becoming valued for eggs, meat, and ceremonial uses in Middle Eastern cultures.
Expansion Into Europe
Chickens reached Europe around 3,000 years ago, arriving first in Greece and later spreading throughout the continent.
They became widely adopted due to their ability to reproduce quickly, provide reliable protein, and adapt to diverse environments.
Chickens in the Roman Empire and Beyond
The Romans played a major role in spreading chickens across Europe. They refined breeding practices, expanded chicken farming, and popularized egg consumption.
Roman soldiers and traders brought chickens with them as they traveled across the empire, helping introduce them to northern and western Europe.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, chickens continued to thrive in medieval Europe, becoming essential livestock for villages, farms, and monasteries.
By the time of global exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, chickens were already firmly established across Europe and prepared to spread further.
Worldwide Spread Through Exploration and Trade
European explorers, traders, and settlers carried chickens with them to the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, completing the global distribution of the species.
Today, chickens are the most widespread domesticated animals on Earth, found in nearly every country and climate thanks to their adaptability and human reliance on eggs and meat.
