As of 2014, a chicken has been witnessed flying continuously for a maximum of 13 seconds. The longest flight distance recorded for a chicken was 301.5 ft.
Domestic chickens are purposefully developed to develop enormous breasts, which makes it harder for them to fly due to the added weight of the breast tissue. Domestic chickens are also educated to remain close to the roost and not fly away, which inhibits the development of sophisticated flight ability.
The chicken is a descendant of the Red Junglefowl. Red Junglefowl graze for food on the ground in the wild, but roost in trees. These wild birds are capable of running and flying adequately.
