Chickens Raised for Eggs in Central Asia as Early as 400 BCE, Study Finds

Prolific egg laying out of season may have fueled the spread of domestic chickens along the Silk Road.

New archaeological and biomolecular evidence suggests chickens were raised for egg production in Central Asia from 400 BCE to 1000 CE.
The domestic chicken's prolific egg laying, especially out of season, likely contributed to its dispersion along the Silk Road.
Researchers used ZooMS, a cost-effective biomolecular analysis, to identify eggshell fragments as domestic chicken eggs.
This study provides the earliest evidence for the loss of seasonal egg laying in chickens, a key factor in their domestication.
The findings challenge previous notions about the ancient origins of chickens and highlight the role of egg production in their spread.