It's time to celebrate International Respect for Chickens Day on May 4! This day was first celebrated in 2005 as a way to raise awareness and appreciation for chickens everywhere. After all, these feathered friends have been providing us with food, sustenance and entertainment for centuries. Whether you're a farmer, an animal lover or just someone who enjoys eating chicken dishes, there are many ways you can show respect for chickens on this special day. From visiting a local farm to making sure the eggs you buy come from humanely-raised hens, there are plenty of ways to honor chickens and their important role in our lives.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Chickens Domestication</div><div class='timeline-text'>By the 1800s, chickens' domestication became common worldwide due to their significance in food production and cultural rituals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Industrial Chicken Farming</div><div class='timeline-text'>The industrial chicken farming revolution began, drastically increasing the number of chickens raised for food globally.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1967</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Animal Welfare Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in the US, however, it excluded birds from its protections.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1981</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div the='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Advocacy for Chickens</div><div class='timeline-text'>Increased advocacy for chickens led to progress in terms of welfare initiatives and consumer awareness.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Respect for Chickens Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first International Respect for Chickens Day was held to raise awareness about the plight of chickens in farming.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Animal-Centric Legislation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Several states in the U.S. passed legislation mandating improved housing conditions for farmed chickens, marking significant progress in chicken welfare.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Cook a special dish</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Whether it’s fried chicken, chicken soup, or a roasted chicken dish, make a delicious meal to celebrate International Respect for Chickens Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local farm</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a trip to a local farm and learn about how chickens are cared for and how they play an important role in the natural world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to charities</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make a donation to an organization that works to protect chickens and promote humane treatment of animals.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a movie featuring chickens or watch one of your favorite films with poultry as a theme.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over for dinner, drinks, and conversation about why chickens deserve our respect.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Chickens are intelligent animals</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Chickens are often underestimated for their intelligence. However, research has shown that chickens can form social bonds with both people and other chickens, and can even recognize up to 100 different faces! They also have the ability to perform basic tasks, like solving puzzles or recognizing colors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raising chickens is beneficial</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Raising chickens can be a great way to get involved in sustainable agriculture. It can provide a healthy source of fresh eggs and meat, while eliminating the need to purchase these items from grocery stores. Plus, it provides an opportunity to teach children about animal husbandry and responsibility!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Chickens help the environment</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Chickens are natural pest controllers and can help control unpleasant insects like flies, moths and ticks. They also pick at weeds in your garden which aids with non‐chemical weed prevention. This in turn helps maintain a healthier environment for you and your family!</p></div></div>
International Respect for Chickens Day is celebrated on May 4 every year. In 2024, the day will fall on a Saturday.
2023
May 4
Thursday
2024
May 4
Saturday
2025
May 4
Sunday
2026
May 4
Monday
2027
May 4
Tuesday