Were there any chickens living in Palestine during the time of Jesus?

Hello rcoffmank~

The answer is "yes, probably."

Chickens are rarely mentioned in the Bible, but Jesus referred to hens
and roosters at least twice. In the New Testament, Jesus prediucted
that Peter would betray him three times before the cock crowed. (See
Matt. 26:34: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=matthew%2026:34&version=31
. Also see: Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; and John 13:38.)

In addition, Jesus spoke of hens who tucked their chicks under their
wings (Matt. 23:37 and Luke 13:34:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013:34;&version=31 )

Given the fact that Jesus mentions them, most experts believe chickens
were domesticated throughout Israel.

According to "The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible" (edited by
Herbert Lockyer, Sr.:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785212302/qid=1110837925/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i4_xgl14/102-6342825-7418531?v=glance&s=books&n=507846),
"domestic chickens probably descended from the red jungle fowl of
Asia. Cocks were bred for the ancient sport of cockfighting before
hens were raised for meat and eggs. The crowing cocks served the
ancient world as an alarm clock...Soldiers often rotated their guard
duty" according to the cock's crow. (p. 55)

Regards,
Kriswrite

RESEARCH STRATEGY:
Examination of above mentioned Bible Dictionary
Personal knowledge