Emily Carter
There are many different names for chickens depending on their age, sex, and purpose. The most common term for a baby chicken is a chick, which is gender-neutral since it is usually difficult to determine the gender of a baby chicken. A group of chickens is referred to as a flock, which can be made up of both young and adult chickens. A baby chicken is not a hen or a rooster, which refer to adult female and male chickens, respectively. Young chickens of both sexes can be called juveniles or juvenile chickens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name for a baby chicken | Chick |
| Other names for baby chickens | Peeps, Hatchlings |
| Gender-neutral term for a baby chicken | Peep |
| Group of baby chicks | Brood, Peep, Chattering of chicks |
| Baby chicken's first feed | Starter feed |
| Baby chicken's feed duration | First 6-20 weeks of life |
| Baby chicken's feed composition | 18% protein, amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, minerals |
| Young female chicken | Pullet |
| Young male chicken | Cockerel |
| Young chicken of both sexes | Juvenile or Juvenile chicken |
| Teenage female chicken | Pullet |
| Teenage male chicken | Cockerel |
| Mature female chicken | Hen |
| Mature male chicken | Rooster |
| Male chicken over one year of age | Cock |
| Neutered male chicken | Capon |
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What You'll Learn
A baby chicken is called a 'chick'
A baby chicken is called a chick. This is the most common term for a baby chicken, and it is gender-neutral as it is usually difficult to tell the gender of baby chickens. A group of chicks is referred to as a "brood" or a co: 3,6,7>"peep".
As a baby chicken ages, it can be called by a more specific name based on its sex. A young female chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity is called a co: 1,2,4,11,14,15>"pullet". A young male chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity is called a co: 1,5,9,11,14,15>"cockerel". Once a male chicken reaches sexual maturity, it is called a "rooster".
A chick is typically referred to as such from when it is hatched until it gets its first set of feathers, which usually happens between 14 and 21 days of age. At this stage, they are also referred to as "juveniles".
When purchasing baby chickens, they are often referred to as "straight-run chicks", and they are unsexed. This means that you will get varying amounts of male and female chicks.
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'Pullet' refers to a young female chicken
The term "pullet" refers specifically to a young female chicken. A baby chick of either sex is called a "chick", "peep", or “hatchling”, and male chicks are called "cockerels".
Pullets are young female chickens that are fully feathered but have not yet reached sexual maturity. This means they are between 14 days of age and approximately 18 weeks, or when they have started to lay eggs. Pullets are sometimes referred to as such for their entire first year, even after they begin laying, because their eggs are not yet full size. Pullet eggs are small eggs laid by young female chickens.
Once female chickens hit puberty and begin to lay eggs, they are referred to as "hens". A mature female chicken that is at least one year old is a hen, and a female chicken that lays eggs is also called a "layer" or "laying hen".
Male chickens under a year old are called “cockerels”, and after they turn one, they are referred to as “roosters”.
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'Cockerel' is a young male chicken
A cockerel is a young male chicken. The term is used to refer to male chickens under a year old. After a year, a male chicken is referred to as a rooster.
When they are very young, chickens of either sex are called chicks, but can also be called peeps or hatchlings. These terms are gender-neutral as it is usually not possible to determine the sex of a baby chicken until they are around 6-8 weeks old.
Once their sex has been determined, young female chickens are called pullets, while young males are called cockerels. Young chickens of both sexes can also be referred to as juveniles. Pullets remain pullets for their entire first year, even after they start laying eggs, as their eggs are not full-size yet.
Male chickens can start exhibiting adult behaviours from around four months old, including crowing, protectiveness, and aggression. They can also provide fertilized eggs from around five to six months old.
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'Brood' refers to a group of baby chicks
A "brood" refers to a group of baby chicks that hatched at the same time. A mother hen, or "broody", raises a "brood" of chicks. The term "brood" is used to refer to groups of chicks that are freshly hatched and are still under the care of the mother hen.
The most common term for a baby chicken is "chick", which is gender-neutral since it is usually difficult to tell the gender of baby chickens. Pullet is a young female chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity. A cockerel is a young male chicken under a year old. After a year, a male chicken is referred to as a "rooster".
When they are young, female chickens are called "pullets", and male chickens are called "cockerels". Young chickens of both sexes can be called "juveniles" or "juvenile chickens". Once they grow feathers instead of down, they are no longer called chicks. Male chickens become roosters once they hit puberty and begin mating, and female chickens become hens once they hit puberty and start laying eggs.
When purchasing chickens from hatcheries, they are often sold as straight run chicks, meaning they are unsexed. On average, a group of straight-run chicks contains 50% of each gender.
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'Peep' is a term used for a baby chicken
Chickens have a variety of names depending on their age and sex. The most common term for a baby chicken is a "chick". However, “peep” is also a term used for a baby chicken. Historically, a group of chicks was referred to as a "peep of chicks", but today, it is more common to use the term "peep" for each individual chick. "Peep" is a gender-neutral term for a baby chicken, as it is usually difficult to determine the gender of a baby chicken.
As baby chickens age, they can be referred to by more specific names based on their sex. A young female chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity is called a "pullet". A young male chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity is called a "cockerel". Once they hit puberty, female chickens become "hens" and male chickens become "roosters".
It is important to note that the terminology for chickens can vary slightly depending on the source and region. For example, some sources define a “cockerel” as a male chicken under a year old, while others use the term for a male chicken between 14 days and approximately 18 weeks old. Similarly, the term "pullet" can refer to a female chicken less than a year old or a female chicken between 14 days and approximately 18 weeks old.
In addition to age- and gender-specific terms, there are also terms that describe groups of chickens. A group of chickens is generally referred to as a "flock". A "brood" refers specifically to a group of baby chicks that hatched at the same time and are still under the care of the mother chicken.
Understanding the different terminology for chickens can be helpful for new chicken owners to navigate the world of chicken care and terminology.
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Frequently asked questions
A young offspring chicken is called a chick.
Other names for a young offspring chicken include peep, hatchling, and juvenile.
A group of young offspring chickens is called a brood or a peep of chicks.
