Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Kiwi are birds, like chickens, and they are about the same size. They have other characteristics in common too, but also some differences.
Kiwi feathers might look a bit like fur, but they are feathers, rather like the downy under-feathers of chickens.
Chickens are found almost everywhere in the world but kiwis are found only in New Zealand.
There are around 68,000 kiwi in total in New Zealand. But there are over 3 million chickens.
According to DNA studies, the kiwi’s nearest relative seems to be Mullerornis agilis – a large bird that is now extinct but used to live in Madagascar.
Kiwi’s wings are only about an inch (3 cm) long.
Kiwi can’t fly at all. Apart from their tiny wings, they have a flat breast bone, without a keel bone. And kiwis bones contain marrow, while chickens have hollow bones which makes them lighter and better suited to flying.
Both kiwis and chickens are omnivores.
Kiwi are nocturnal, but they can’t see much in the dark - kiwis use their acute sense of smell to find their food.
Kiwi are territorial.
Kiwis have a body temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the lowest of any bird. Chickens body temperature is between 105 and 107 F (40-41C)
Kiwis often mate for life.
Kiwis live for about 25 to 50 years – chickens average 4 – 10.
Chickens, like most birds, have only one functioning ovary, but female kiwis have two functioning ovaries.
Kiwi lay a clutch of only one or two eggs, and then will incubate them to hatch the chicks.
Kiwi eggs are very large, typically about 300 grams. Kiwis have one of the largest egg-to-body weight ratios of any bird – a kiwi’s egg is about 15-20% of her total body weight.
It’s the male kiwi who suits on the eggs to incubate them.
It takes 21 days for a baby chicken to hatch from its eggs, but it takes between 74 and 90 days for a baby kiwi to hatch.
Baby chicks use a temporary egg-tooth on their beak to peck open their shells, but kiwi chicks don’t have an egg tooth on their beak so they have to kick their eggs open with their strong legs.
And I have chickens in my garden, but I don’t have any kiwi. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
youtube.com/c/Chickensinmygarden
Catch up with me on Facebook facebook.com/chickensinmygarden
Kiwi are birds, like chickens, and they are about the same size. They have other characteristics in common too, but also some differences.
Kiwi feathers might look a bit like fur, but they are feathers, rather like the downy under-feathers of chickens.
Chickens are found almost everywhere in the world but kiwis are found only in New Zealand.
There are around 68,000 kiwi in total in New Zealand. But there are over 3 million chickens.
According to DNA studies, the kiwi’s nearest relative seems to be Mullerornis agilis – a large bird that is now extinct but used to live in Madagascar.
Kiwi’s wings are only about an inch (3 cm) long.
Kiwi can’t fly at all. Apart from their tiny wings, they have a flat breast bone, without a keel bone. And kiwis bones contain marrow, while chickens have hollow bones which makes them lighter and better suited to flying.
Both kiwis and chickens are omnivores.
Kiwi are nocturnal, but they can’t see much in the dark - kiwis use their acute sense of smell to find their food.
Kiwi are territorial.
Kiwis have a body temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the lowest of any bird. Chickens body temperature is between 105 and 107 F (40-41C)
Kiwis often mate for life.
Kiwis live for about 25 to 50 years – chickens average 4 – 10.
Chickens, like most birds, have only one functioning ovary, but female kiwis have two functioning ovaries.
Kiwi lay a clutch of only one or two eggs, and then will incubate them to hatch the chicks.
Kiwi eggs are very large, typically about 300 grams. Kiwis have one of the largest egg-to-body weight ratios of any bird – a kiwi’s egg is about 15-20% of her total body weight.
It’s the male kiwi who suits on the eggs to incubate them.
It takes 21 days for a baby chicken to hatch from its eggs, but it takes between 74 and 90 days for a baby kiwi to hatch.
Baby chicks use a temporary egg-tooth on their beak to peck open their shells, but kiwi chicks don’t have an egg tooth on their beak so they have to kick their eggs open with their strong legs.
And I have chickens in my garden, but I don’t have any kiwi. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!
For more fascinating facts, hints and tips about caring for your chickens, and the sheer pleasure of chickens, subscribe to my channel: Chickens in my garden - New Zealand
youtube.com/c/Chickensinmygarden
Catch up with me on Facebook facebook.com/chickensinmygarden
