Could Chickens Fly Before Domestication?

This selective breeding and lack of evolution for survival, as well as their predecessors, are the reasons as to why chickens cannot fly. (1) However, in the case that they would need to, their wing structure would allow them to fly a short distance, far enough to reach safety in a tree's lower branches.

Could chickens fly before they were domesticated?

Snap, indeed. Chickens can fly (just not very far). While there was never a time when chickens filled the skies, their ancestors were a bit more adept than current breeds.

Can ancient chickens fly?

Birds need to have at least 1 square inch of wing per 0.6 ounces of body mass (1 square centimeter per 2.5 grams) to fly. Given that the domesticated chicken has smaller wings and a heavier mass (because of its tasty flight muscles) than its wild brethren, it's no surprise that chickens can barely fly, Habib said.