A chicken has a heart rate of 275 beats per minute. Is that normal?

A chicken has a heart rate of 275 beats per minute. Is that normal?

• A. Yes, that is above normal.
• B. No, that is below normal.
• C. No, that is normal.
• D. Yes, that is below normal.

Answer: (C)

In birds, resting heart rates are relatively high because their metabolism is fast and oxygen needs are high. For chickens, a typical resting heart rate is roughly 250 to 350 beats per minute. A value of 275 bpm falls right within that range, so it is normal. Factors that can push the rate higher include stress, movement, bright light, fever, or warm temperatures; a calm, resting chicken would usually be toward the lower end of the range. If the bird is otherwise healthy and showing no other signs of illness, 275 bpm is an expected, normal rate.

In birds, resting heart rates are relatively high because their metabolism is fast and oxygen needs are high. For chickens, a typical resting heart rate is roughly 250 to 350 beats per minute. A value of 275 bpm falls right within that range, so it is normal. Factors that can push the rate higher include stress, movement, bright light, fever, or warm temperatures; a calm, resting chicken would usually be toward the lower end of the range. If the bird is otherwise healthy and showing no other signs of illness, 275 bpm is an expected, normal rate.