Important chicken terms to know

Do you know what a pullet or a cockerel is? If you don’t, then continue reading to learn all about the important chicken terms.

Important terms for when buying chickens-

Chick- a newly hatched chicken
Cockerel- a young rooster, under 1-year-old
Pullet- a young hen, under 1-year-old
Straight run- if you buy chicks from the straight run section you will most likely have a 50 percent chance of getting a pullet and a 50 percent chance of getting a cockerel
Cock- male that is 1 year or older
Hen- female that is 1 year or older
Rooster- a male chicken which includes Cocks and Cockerels
Bantam- miniature chickens or very small breeds
Layer breed- a breed that is primarily used for eggs
Dual-purpose breed- breeds that can be used for eggs and meat
Broilers- breeds used for meat production

Molting- loss of feathers due to the change in the seasons
Pin feathers- feathers that are starting to re-grow usually after molting
Down feathers- feathers that cover young birds and the underneath feathers on older birds, these are what help keep them warm

Starter Growing feed- a feed used for growing chicks up till they are 16 weeks or laying age
Layer feed- the feed used for laying hens to help with their egg production
Gamebird or Showbird feed- a high protein feed that helps promote growth in gamebirds, meat birds, and showbirds
Scratch- a mix of whole grains that usually contains corn
Grit- tiny crushed up granite pieces used to help break down food in their gizzard

Wattle- small flap under the chicken beak; it is used to help regulate their temperature
Comb- the featherless part on top of their head
Crop- part of their digestive system that stores food before being fully digested
Gizzard- the gizzard is used for grinding up the pieces of food with the grit

Well, there you go! I hope that you learned a few of these common chicken terms.