Claire Thompson
Chickens are fascinating creatures, and their names vary depending on their age, gender, and purpose. While chicken is a general term, there are specific names for male and female chickens, as well as different names for young chickens and those raised for meat or eggs. Let's delve into the world of these feathered friends and explore the various names they go by.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Male chicken | Rooster, cock, capon, cockerel |
| Female chicken | Hen, pullet, biddy |
| Baby chicken | Chick, peep |
| Male baby chicken | Cockerel |
| Female baby chicken | Pullet |
| Male chicken's call | Crowing |
| Female chicken's call | Clucking |
| Chicken's lifespan | 5-10 years, the oldest known chicken lived for 16 years |
| Chicken's diet | Omnivorous |
| Chicken's behaviour | Social, gregarious, inquisitive, intelligent, entertaining |
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What You'll Learn
Male chickens are called roosters, cocks or cockerels
Male chickens have different names depending on their maturity. A young male chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity, or a male chicken between 14 days and approximately 18 weeks old, is called a cockerel. A cockerel is also a male chicken under a year old. Once they hit puberty and begin mating, they are called roosters or cocks. Roosters are sexually mature male chickens, and the term is applied to any male bird over a year old. The term "rooster" is preferred in the United States, while "cock" is more common in the rest of the world. "Rooster" originated in the 18th century, possibly as a euphemism to avoid the sexual connotation of the word "cock". "Cock" is also used in the term cockfight, a contest held between two male chickens.
Female chickens also have different names depending on their maturity. A young female chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity, or a female chicken between 14 days of age and approximately 18 weeks old, is called a pullet. A pullet can also be a female chicken under a year old. A female chicken that has reached sexual maturity and begun laying eggs is called a hen.
To distinguish between male and female chickens, there are distinct differences in adult chickens related to comb and wattle size, the size of spurs, and the type and shape of feathers. Males have larger combs and wattles, and their tail feathers are pointed, while females have rounded tail feathers. Additionally, males crow, while females do not.
There are also some general terms used to refer to chickens. "Chicken" can refer to both male and female birds and is also used to refer to the meat from the bird. "Chick" refers to a baby chicken of either sex. "Yardbird" is a term used in the southern United States to refer to a chicken.
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Female chickens are called hens or pullets
There are several terms used to refer to female chickens, depending on their age and sexual maturity. A "pullet" is a young female chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity. Pullets are typically between 14 days of age and approximately 18 weeks old, or when they have started to lay eggs. Their combs and wattles will start to develop as they get closer to maturity.
"Hens" are sexually mature female chickens that have begun laying eggs. They are distinguished by their red and developed combs and wattles. Hens cluck loudly after laying an egg and to call their chicks. They guard their chicks, brood them to keep them warm, and lead them to food and water.
The term "biddy" is also used to refer to female chickens, though it may be considered colloquial or pejorative. It likely originated from the sounds made to call the flock ("biddy-biddy-biddy") and has been used to refer to older hens or women.
To summarise, female chickens are called "hens" once they reach sexual maturity and start laying eggs, and "pullets" when they are young and have not yet reached sexual maturity. The term "biddy" can also be used to refer to female chickens, but it may be less formal or carry negative connotations.
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Young chickens are called chicks or peeps
The terms used to refer to chickens vary depending on their age, sex, and purpose. Young chickens are called "chicks" or "peeps", regardless of their sex. A "chick" is a young (baby) chicken that has not yet grown feathers. Sexing young chicks is difficult, especially at hatch, and it was not until the 1930s that the Western world learned how to distinguish between male and female chicks, a technique acquired from the Japanese.
Once they grow feathers, female chicks are called "pullets", while males are called "cockerels". Pullets are young female chickens that are fully feathered but have not yet reached sexual maturity. They are typically between 14 days and 18 weeks old, or when they start laying eggs. Their combs and wattles will start to develop as they approach maturity, and they will go through several moulting processes before acquiring their adult feathers.
Cockerels, on the other hand, are young male chickens that are also fully feathered but have not yet reached sexual maturity. Like pullets, cockerels are typically between 14 days and 18 weeks old. Male chickens go from cockerels to roosters once they hit puberty and begin mating.
Mature female chickens are called "hens" or "layers", and they have reached sexual maturity and begun laying eggs. Their combs and wattles are red and fully developed. Roosters, also called "cocks", are mature male chickens that are sexually attracted to hens. Unlike hens, there is no clear physical marker for when a male bird becomes a rooster, and the term is generally applied to any male bird over one year old.
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A castrated male chicken is called a capon
A male chicken is usually called a rooster, or a cock, while a female chicken is called a hen. However, there are several other terms used to refer to male and female chickens, depending on their age and sexual maturity. For instance, a young male chicken that is fully feathered but has not yet reached sexual maturity is called a cockerel, while a pullet is a young female chicken under a year old.
It is important to note that the terms "rooster" and "cock" are interchangeable, with "rooster" being the preferred term in the United States, while "cock" is more commonly used in other parts of the world. The term "rooster" originated in the 18th century, possibly as a euphemism to avoid the sexual connotation of the word "cock."
On the other hand, "hen" is used specifically for sexually mature female chickens that have begun laying eggs. While the age at which birds begin laying eggs can vary, it typically occurs around five months of age.
Other terms related to male and female chickens include "chicks" or "peeps," which refer to baby chickens of either sex. "Biddy" is a colloquial term for female chickens, originally referring to older hens, and "roo" is simply a shortened version of "rooster."
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Roosters and hens have distinct physical differences
The names for a male chicken and a female chicken are "rooster" and "hen" respectively. While both male and female chickens share some physical traits, there are several distinct differences between the two.
Firstly, roosters and hens have different types of feathers. Roosters have longer, pointier neck feathers, also known as hackle feathers, while hens' hackle feathers are shorter and rounder. Roosters also have distinctive saddle feathers and a main sickle feather in their tail, which hens lack.
Secondly, roosters and hens have different physical features. Roosters have larger combs and wattles, which are the fleshy crest and hanging flaps of skin on their heads, respectively. The comb and wattles of roosters are also more vibrant in colour. Additionally, roosters often develop spurs on their legs, which they use for defence and establishing dominance.
Thirdly, roosters and hens differ in size and build. Roosters are typically larger and more robust, with thicker legs and a more upright posture. Hens, on the other hand, have a more rounded body and a lower stance.
Lastly, roosters and hens exhibit different behaviours. Roosters are known for their distinctive crowing, which they use as a territorial signal and in response to disturbances. They also tend to be more assertive and dominant, challenging each other as they get older. Hens, on the other hand, are generally quieter and more focused on foraging and nesting. They cluck loudly after laying an egg and to call their chicks.
In summary, while roosters and hens share some physical traits, there are several distinct differences in their feathers, physical features, size and build, and behaviours. These differences are important for anyone looking to raise chickens or simply wanting to understand the unique characteristics of male and female chickens.
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Frequently asked questions
A male chicken is called a rooster. A young male chicken is called a cockerel.
A female chicken is called a hen. A young female chicken is called a pullet.
Some names for female chickens include Ada, Adele, Agnes, Amber, Amy, Angel, and many more.
Chickens are also called poultry, fowl, or birds. A chicken that is less than 10 weeks old is called a fryer, and a chicken that is 8-12 weeks old and weighs over 5 lbs is called a roaster.
