Why do chickens have wings but can't fly?

We've all seen it before, the iconic image of a chicken strutting around the yard, its proud wings pointed out to either side. But despite those majestic appendages, chickens can't fly.

So why do they have wings?

For starters, let's look at the anatomy of a chicken's wing. It is made up of two parts, the humerus and the radius/ulna - which are connected by muscles and tendons. The bones in a chicken's wing are much shorter and smaller than those found in birds that can fly, such as hawks or eagles. This means that the muscles that attach to the wing bones are weaker and unable to generate enough lift for flight.

So why do chickens bother keeping their wings if they can't use them? Well, there are several benefits to having two strong wings even if you can't use them for flying. For one thing, chickens use their wings to help maintain balance while running, they act like stabilizers when the bird takes sharp turns or runs on uneven terrain.

Chickens also use their wings as part of their courtship behavior; males will often spread out their wings in order to show off to potential mates.

Finally, chickens rely on their wings for protection; when startled or threatened, they will often spread out their wings in an effort to intimidate predators or make themselves appear larger than they actually are.