Chicken Terminology

BANTAM: A small domestic chicken that is often a miniature version of a larger  breed.

BIDDY: Another term for chicks or baby chickens.

BROILER: A meat chicken processed at the age of 7-12 weeks when it reaches 2 ½  to 3 ½  pounds live weight. Historically Broilers were marketed as birds ranging 1 to 2 ½ lbs.

BROODER BOX: A temperature-controlled, heated box used for raising newly hatched poultry.

BROODY HEN: A hen that is intent on sitting on and hatching a clutch of eggs on a nest. Broody hens are often used to hatch eggs of other fowl.

BROODING PERIOD: The period in a young fowl’s life between hatching until they become fully feathered.

BUTTERCUP COMB: A comb that has a single leader near the bear that leads into a comb with evenly spaced points that looks like a crown on the bird’s head.

CANDLING: Procedure of shining light through an egg to determine if it is fertilized or not.

CAPON: Are male chickens that have been castrated at 4-8 months old, weighing 5-9 pounds that produce more white meat and have higher fat content than other chickens.

CHICK: A newly hatched or very young chicken.

CHICK TOOTH: A hard tooth-like structure at the end of a chick's beak. Also known as an egg tooth, it is used to assist hatching chicks in breaking through the eggshell.

CLOACA: The opening in the rear of chickens through which the intestinal, urinary and reproductive tracts empty.

CLUTCH: A group of eggs that are laid together in one nest.

COCCIDIOSIS: An animal disease caused by infestation of the parasite Coccidia within the intestinal tract. Coccidiosis spreads from one chicken to another by contact with feces or ingestion of infected tissue.

COCK: A male chicken over one year of age.

COCKEREL: A male chicken less than 1 year old.

COMB: The fleshy growth or crest on the top of a chicken's head. Combs are usually larger on males than on females and are typically red.

COOP: An enclosure or housing structure built for chickens.

CRD: Chronic Respiratory Disease, a common disease of chickens that is characterized by sneezing and difficulty breathing. Commonly controlled with antibiotics usually administered in feed or drinking water.

CROP: Part of a chicken’s digestive located at the base of the neck that serves to store ingested food.

CUSHION COMB: A small flat and solid comb with no spikes or depressions.

DOWN: Soft, fine and fluffy feathers on fowl.

DUSTING OR DUST BATH: Common chicken behavior of bathing with dust in a shallow depression to help rid themselves of mites and parasites.

FEATHER PICKING: Detrimental activity of chickens picking or pulling at each other's feathers that is often started from stress, aggression, or nutritional problems within a flock.

FLEDGE: To care for young birds while still in the nest.

FOUNT: A water fountain or watering device for animals.

GALLUS DOMESTICUS: The scientific name for a domestic chicken.

GIZZARD: Internal chicken organ that crushes food with the help of pebbles or grit.

GRIT: Bits of rock, oyster shell or sand used by fowl to aid in breaking down ingested food.

GROWER FEED: Commercially available feed formulated for adolescent, growing chickens. Usually used from nine to 20 weeks.

HACKLES: The long feathers on a chicken’s neck

HEN: A mature female chicken that is at least one year of age.

INCUBATION: The process used to hatch eggs. Incubation can be accomplished naturally under female fowl or artificially with an mechanical incubator.

LAYERS: Mature female chickens kept for egg production. Also known as laying hens.

LAYING FEED: Commercially available feed formulated with extra calcium for laying hens.

LITTER: The bedding material spread on the floor of a chicken house (i.e. wood shavings, straw).

MAREK’S DISEASE: A viral disease common in chickens. Commonly prevented by a vaccination administered immediately after chicks hatch.

MOLT: Time when the shedding and growth of new feathers takes place.

NEST BOX: A box designed for hens to lay their eggs within.

NEWCASTLE DISEASE: A viral respiratory disease common in chickens. Newcastle disease can spread very quickly within a flock. Commonly prevented with a series of vaccinations.

NON-SETTER: Hens that have little or no desire to incubate eggs.

ORNAMENTAL BREED: A breed of chicken used for ornamental purposes and are primarily appreciated for their stunning appearance as opposed to egg or meat production.

PEA COMB: Medium-size comb that features three ridges running lengthwise from the top of the beak to the top of the head and resembles an opened pea pod with peas running up the middle.

PHOTOPERIOD: The interval in a 24-hour period in which a plant or animal is exposed to light.

PIPPING: The process by which baby chicks break open a hole in the eggshell and hatch.

PRIMARIES: The big, stiff feathers on the chicken’s wings that aid in flying.

PRODUCTION BREED: Are commercial strains of fowl that are used for high production of eggs or meat.

PULLET: A chicken less than 1 year old.

ROOSTER: A male chicken that is at least 1 year old.

ROOST: A perch typically inside a coop upon which fowl rest off of the ground.

ROSE COMB: A flat broad comb that is similar in shape to a rose petal.

RUN: An enclosed area outdoors that is connected to a coop and allows chickens to roam freely.

SCRATCH: A type of feed that can consist of cracked corn and different types of whole grains. It is often fed as a treat for backyard chickens and not used as a main food source.

SEXING: When baby chicks are separated by gender.

SHANKS: Part of the chicken’s legs just above the foot.

SINGLE COMB: A moderately thin and well attached comb that stands up above the skull and has 5-6 distinctive points.

SPUR: The horny projection located on toward the rear of a chicken’s shank and is prominent in males. Spurs are used for defense and will grow throughout the birds’ life.

STARTER FEED: Pre-mixed commercial food for chicks, commonly available at feed or farm stores. These feeds should be fed to chicks for the first six to eight weeks of life. Typically available in medicated and non-medicated formulas.

STRAIGHT RUN: A term used to describe chicks for sale that have not been sexed. Groups of straight run chicks contain 50% of each gender on average, however odds of receiving 50/50 decrease with the fewer chicks you buy.

STRAWBERRY COMB: Is a very low and compact comb extending no farther than the middle of the skull is named for it’s appearance similar to that of a strawberry.

TURN: The act of turning incubated eggs to prevent the embryos from sticking to the shell membranes.

UNTHRIFTY: Term often used when raising chickens to describe unhealthy birds that are failing to thrive or won't put on weight.

V-SHAPED COMB: A comb consisting of two horn-like pieces that are joined at the comb base.

VENT: The opening in the backside of a chicken where both waste is eliminated and eggs are laid. It is also known as the cloaca.

WATTLE: Thin growths of flesh that are located on each side of the throat or beak. They are typically red in color and are larger in most males.

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