Chicken Terminology for New Owners
Welcome to Hen Scratch Acres' guide to chicken terminology! We understand that starting your chicken-keeping journey can be a bit overwhelming, especially with all the new words and phrases. This page is designed to help new chicken owners understand common terms, explained in a friendly and informative way. We don't assume you already know the basics!
Understanding "Hen"
A hen is a female chicken, typically one year or older. Hens are raised primarily for egg production, though they can also be used for meat. They can also become broody, meaning they have the instinct to sit on eggs to hatch them. When a hen is broody, she will want to stay on the nest constantly, in order to keep the eggs warm.
The Role of a "Rooster"
A rooster is a male chicken. Roosters are vital for fertilizing eggs so that they can hatch into chicks. They are also known for their characteristic crowing. Roosters will often have saddle feathers that are located on their back, just in front of their tail. These feathers are more pointed and brightly colored than the hen's feathers.
Chicks and Pullets
A young chicken is called a chick, and sometimes affectionately referred to as biddies. Once a female chick reaches sexual maturity but before she begins laying eggs, she is called a pullet. A male chick is called a cockerel until it is one year old.
Incubation Terminology
If you're planning on hatching chicks, you'll need to know these terms. An incubator is a device used to artificially hatch eggs by controlling temperature and humidity. Setting refers to the act of placing the eggs in the incubator to begin the incubation process. Lockdown is the final stage of incubation, typically the last three days, where the humidity is raised and the incubator is not opened to allow the chicks to hatch successfully.
More Chicken Characteristics
Some chicken breeds have a crest. A crest is a tuft of feathers on top of their head. Auto-sexing refers to breeds where chicks can be identified as male or female at hatch based on their coloring or markings.
Explore Our Breeds
Ready to start your flock? Browse our selection of high-quality breeds at Hen Scratch Acres. We offer a variety of chickens perfect for new owners.
