Chicken (animal)

Chickens are small flightless domesticated fowl of the order ''Galliformes. ''Chickens, also known as roosters in the masculine and hens in the feminine, are usually domesticated and bred as livestock or as pets. The word 'chicken' can also be used to describe someone who is overly frightened or cowardly.

Chickens can be kept as pets by both the wizarding and Muggle community, but as chickens do not harness any magical ability, they are more likely to be kept by the latter. The Weasley family kept chickens in a large chicken coop at the Burrow, and Rubeus Hagrid kept chickens and roosters beside his hut, some of which were killed during 1992 by Ginny Weasley while she was under the control of Tom Riddle.

Although chickens do not harness any magical ability, they can be altered by magic to become magical creatures, for instance, Bob confiscated a fire-breathing chicken due to breaches of the Ban on Experimental Breeding, and Babayaga, a Russian hag, lived in a house standing on giant chicken legs. A chicken egg born under a toad will produce a Basilisk, King of the Serpents, however, the cry of a rooster is fatal to the Basilisk. This is why Tom Riddle ordered Ginny Weasley to kill all the roosters surrounding Hogwarts, as to ensure the welfare of his Basilisk. A baby dragon must be fed a bucket of brandy mixed with chicken blood every half an hour.

Chicken is also a common ingredient in both wizarding and Muggle cuisine. A particular Hogwarts student enjoyed the dishes chicken fricassee, chicken noodle soup, chicken salad and chicken pot pie.

The Weasley twins created two products with a chicken theme, Rubby O' Chicken, a rubber chicken bewitched to perform an Irish stepdance, and trick wands, some of which were bewitched to transform into a rubber chicken whenever touched. The spell Pullus turns Erklings into either chickens or geese. The Cockatrice is extremely similar to a rooster, however, instead of a feathered tail it has the tail of a lizard.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (game)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (game)
 * Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (game)
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 * Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them