Emily Carter
There are many different terms for chickens depending on their age, sex, and purpose. A male chicken under a year old is called a cockerel, while a male chicken over a year old is called a rooster or a cock. The term rooster is preferred in the United States, while cock is more commonly used in the rest of the world. There is no clear physical marker for when a male chicken becomes a rooster or cock; instead, the term is applied to any male bird over one year old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Rooster, Cock |
| Young Male Chicken | Cockerel |
| Female Chicken | Hen |
| Young Female Chicken | Pullet |
| Baby Chicken | Chick |
| Adult Male Chicken that has been castrated | Capon |
| Adult Chicken | Broiler |
| Adult Chicken kept for eggs | Layer Hen |
| Perch for fowl | Roost |
| Enclosure for chickens | Coop |
| Hanging flaps of skin under the beak | Wattles |
| Fleshy growth on the head | Comb |
| Chicken weight (3-4 pounds) | Fryer |
| Chicken weight (4-6 pounds) | Roaster |
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What You'll Learn
A male chicken over one year old is called a cock or a rooster
A male chicken over a year old is called a cock or a rooster. The term "rooster" is generally preferred in the United States, while "cock" is more common in other parts of the world. These terms are interchangeable, and there is no clear physical marker to distinguish a cockerel from a rooster or cock. Instead, the transition is marked by time, specifically when the male chicken reaches sexual maturity.
Young male chickens under one year old are called cockerels. Cockerels are the male equivalent of pullets, which are young female chickens under one year old. Both male and female chickens are called chicks until they grow feathers instead of down.
Once male chickens reach sexual maturity, they are called roosters or cocks. Roosters and cocks are known for their loud and sometimes shrill crowing, which serves as a territorial signal to other males and a response to disturbances in their surroundings. They may also perform a circle dance to initiate courting, dancing in a circle around a hen and lowering the wing closest to her.
Hens are the female equivalent of roosters and cocks. A hen is a sexually mature female chicken over one year old. They are known for their loud clucking after laying an egg and to call their chicks.
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A male chicken under one year old is called a cockerel
A male chicken under a year old is called a cockerel. This is the male equivalent of a pullet, which is a young female chicken under a year old.
Once a male chicken reaches sexual maturity, it is called a rooster or a cock. The term "rooster" is preferred in the United States, while "cock" is more common in the rest of the world. There is no clear physical marker to distinguish a cockerel from a rooster or cock; instead, the distinction is based purely on age.
Similarly, a pullet becomes a hen once it reaches sexual maturity. Hens are sexually mature female chickens that produce eggs.
Chicks refer to baby chickens of either sex under 12 weeks old. They can also be called "peeps." Once they grow feathers instead of down, they are called pullets or cockerels.
Other terms related to chickens include broiler, which refers to chickens farmed for meat, and layer hens, which are chickens farmed primarily for eggs.
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A female chicken is called a hen
Hens are kept for egg production and are also known as 'layers' or 'layer hens'. They can produce over 300 eggs per year, though their egg-laying ability declines after 12 months. Hens are social animals with complex vocalisations and behaviours. For example, they cluck loudly after laying an egg and to call their chicks.
Hens are also used ornamentally, being appreciated for their appearance rather than egg production. They are sometimes referred to as 'biddies', a colloquial term for female chickens. 'Broody' is another colloquial term used to refer to a mother hen who is setting on eggs to hatch them or has already hatched them and is raising chicks.
Young female chickens under a year old are called 'pullets'. Pullets are exclusively female and are often referred to as 'teenager' birds that have not yet begun laying eggs.
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A young female chicken under one year old is called a pullet
Chickens are fascinating creatures with complex vocalizations and behaviours. They are primarily kept for their meat and eggs, but they are also kept as pets. As of 2023, the global chicken population exceeds 26.5 billion, with over 50 billion birds produced annually for consumption.
When it comes to terminology, there are different terms for chickens based on their age, sex, and purpose. A "pullet" is a term specifically used for a young female chicken under one year old. These young female chickens, or pullets, are also referred to as “teenager” birds, as they have not yet started laying eggs. The definition of a pullet can vary, with some considering any female chicken under one year old as a pullet, while others restrict the term to birds between 12 and 16 weeks old. Some even argue that a female bird is a pullet until her first moult, which occurs around 18 months of age.
Pullets are distinguished from adult female chickens, which are called "hens". A hen is a sexually mature female chicken that has reached at least one year of age. They are known for their egg-laying abilities, with some breeds producing over 300 eggs per year. Hens cluck loudly after laying an egg, a vocalization that also serves to call their chicks.
In contrast, male chickens have their own set of terminology. A male chicken under one year old is called a "cockerel", and once he reaches sexual maturity and is over one year of age, he is referred to as a "rooster" or a "cock". Roosters are known for their loud and sometimes shrill crowing, which serves as a territorial signal to other males and as a response to disturbances in their surroundings.
The various terms for chickens can be confusing, but they serve to differentiate chickens based on their life stages, sexes, and purposes. These terms help chicken enthusiasts, farmers, and researchers communicate effectively about these fascinating creatures.
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A castrated male chicken is called a capon
A male chicken over a year old is called a cock or a rooster. However, a castrated male chicken is called a capon.
Caponisation is the process of castrating a male chicken, or cockerel, to improve the quality of its flesh for food. This process has existed for thousands of years, possibly dating back to ancient China, ancient Greece, or the Roman Republic. The Romans castrated roosters, or cockerels, instead of fattening hens to conserve grain rations, resulting in a doubling of the chicken's size.
Caponisation can be done by surgically removing the bird's testes, or through the use of estrogen implants. Castration makes male chickens less aggressive, preventing them from fighting and allowing them to be kept together. The lack of sex hormones also results in meat that is less gamey in taste, and more moist, tender, juicy, and flavourful.
Capon meat is considered a luxury, and it is often more expensive than regular chicken meat. In the early 20th century, capon was commonly eaten for Christmas feasts, especially by wealthy families. Working-class families considered capon a rare treat. Capons are produced in several regions of France and Italy, and they are traditionally served at Christmas in these countries.
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Frequently asked questions
A male chicken is called a rooster. The term rooster is interchangeable with cock, the latter being more commonly used outside of the United States.
A male chicken under a year old is called a cockerel.
A female chicken is called a hen.
A female chicken under a year old is called a pullet.
