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

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

Answer: (A)

Birds have high resting metabolic rates, so their heart rates are naturally fast. In chickens, a typical resting heart rate is about 250 to 350 beats per minute. A reading of 275 BPM fits well within that range, so it is considered normal for a chicken at rest. Remember that stress, handling, temperature, or recent activity can raise the rate, and persistently very high or very low values would warrant evaluation.