Glossary of Chicken Terms
A
Albumen- egg white
American Bantam Association- an organization devoted to the standardization and promotion of bantam chickens and ducks
American Standard of Perfection- A book published by the American Poultry Association describing each breed recognized by that organization
American Poultry Association (APA)- an organization devoted to the standardization and promotion of large size chickens and ducks
Avian- Pertaining to birds
American Bantam Association- an organization devoted to the standardization and promotion of bantam chickens and ducks
American Standard of Perfection- A book published by the American Poultry Association describing each breed recognized by that organization
American Poultry Association (APA)- an organization devoted to the standardization and promotion of large size chickens and ducks
Avian- Pertaining to birds
B
Bantam- a miniature chicken 1/4 to 1/5 the size of a large breed chicken, weighing 1 to 3 lbs. Almost all bantams are a scaled down versions of larger breeds, but a few breeds of bantams do not have a full size counterpart.
Beak- the hard, protruding portion of a bird's mouth, consisting of an upper beak and a lower beak.
Beard- the tuft of feathers (always found in association with a muff) bunched under the beaks. Seen in breeds such as: Silkies, Faverolle, and Houdan.
Bleaching- the fading of color from the beak, shanks, and vent of yellow-skinned laying hens.
Bloom- the protective coating of an unwashed egg
Booted- a chicken having feathers on shanks and toes
Breaking Up- the act of convincing a broody hen that she doesn't want to set. (You must know how to do this when owning Silkies!!!)
Broiler- a tender 9-12 week old meat chicken, generally weighing 2.5-3.5 lbs. Also called a Fryer.
Brood- (noun) a clutch of chicks (verb) to keep chicks warm, whether it be under a hen or in an artificial brooder
Brooder- a mechanical device used to imitate the warmth and protection a mother hen gives her chicks
Broody Hen- a hen, through hormonal changes,stops laying and elects to hatch eggs or care for baby chicks. A hen that sits on a nest for an extended period of time without producing eggs.
Beak- the hard, protruding portion of a bird's mouth, consisting of an upper beak and a lower beak.
Beard- the tuft of feathers (always found in association with a muff) bunched under the beaks. Seen in breeds such as: Silkies, Faverolle, and Houdan.
Bleaching- the fading of color from the beak, shanks, and vent of yellow-skinned laying hens.
Bloom- the protective coating of an unwashed egg
Booted- a chicken having feathers on shanks and toes
Breaking Up- the act of convincing a broody hen that she doesn't want to set. (You must know how to do this when owning Silkies!!!)
Broiler- a tender 9-12 week old meat chicken, generally weighing 2.5-3.5 lbs. Also called a Fryer.
Brood- (noun) a clutch of chicks (verb) to keep chicks warm, whether it be under a hen or in an artificial brooder
Brooder- a mechanical device used to imitate the warmth and protection a mother hen gives her chicks
Broody Hen- a hen, through hormonal changes,stops laying and elects to hatch eggs or care for baby chicks. A hen that sits on a nest for an extended period of time without producing eggs.
C
Candle- to evaluate the contents of an egg by holding it up to a strong light source
Candler- the strong light source used to candle eggs
Cannibalism- the habit stressed chickens have of pecking other chickens, or themselves, until they draw blood; a bloodied chicken is often killed by its peers.
Cape- the narrow feathers between a chicken's neck and back
Capon- a castrated male chicken
Cecum- a pouch-like internal organ located where small and large intestine connect
Clean-Legged- a chicken that has no feathers on the shanks
Cloaca- the chamber inside a chicken's vent where her digestive, excretory, and reproductive tracts meet
Clutch- a batch of eggs hatched; all of the eggs laid by a hen on consecutive days before she skips a day to begin a new laying cycle
Coccidiosis-a parasitic protozoal infestation, usually occurring in damp, unclean housing
Cock-a male chicken older than one year; also called a rooster
Cockerel-a male chicken less than one year old
Comb-the fleshy, red appendages atop a chickens head
Confirmation- an animal or birds body structure
Coop- a building where chickens reside
Crest-a wild topknot of feathers adorning the heads of crested birds such as: Polish, Silkies, and Houdon. Also called a topknot
Crop-the expandable pouch of tissue in a chicken's lower esophagus where food is temporarily stored before digestion begins
Cull-to eliminate a bird from the flock
Candler- the strong light source used to candle eggs
Cannibalism- the habit stressed chickens have of pecking other chickens, or themselves, until they draw blood; a bloodied chicken is often killed by its peers.
Cape- the narrow feathers between a chicken's neck and back
Capon- a castrated male chicken
Cecum- a pouch-like internal organ located where small and large intestine connect
Clean-Legged- a chicken that has no feathers on the shanks
Cloaca- the chamber inside a chicken's vent where her digestive, excretory, and reproductive tracts meet
Clutch- a batch of eggs hatched; all of the eggs laid by a hen on consecutive days before she skips a day to begin a new laying cycle
Coccidiosis-a parasitic protozoal infestation, usually occurring in damp, unclean housing
Cock-a male chicken older than one year; also called a rooster
Cockerel-a male chicken less than one year old
Comb-the fleshy, red appendages atop a chickens head
Confirmation- an animal or birds body structure
Coop- a building where chickens reside
Crest-a wild topknot of feathers adorning the heads of crested birds such as: Polish, Silkies, and Houdon. Also called a topknot
Crop-the expandable pouch of tissue in a chicken's lower esophagus where food is temporarily stored before digestion begins
Cull-to eliminate a bird from the flock
D
Debeak- to burn or snip off the tip of a chicken's upper beak to prevent cannibalism
Defect-any characteristic that makes a chicken less than perfect
Depopulate- to get rid of an entire flock
Dirties- Eggs with dirt or stains covering more than 1/4 of the shell
Disinfectant- anything used to destroy disease-causing organisms
Disqualification- a defect or deformity serious enough to bar a chicken from a show
Down- the soft, fur-like fluff covering a newly hatched chick; also, the fluffy part near the bottom of any feather
Drench- to give liquid medication orally; also, the liquid medication itself
Dub- to trim the comb
Dual-purpose breed- a breed of chicken that will produce either eggs or meat. The all-arounder
Dust bathing- the act of a chicken wallowing in dirt to clean its feathers and discourage external parasites
Defect-any characteristic that makes a chicken less than perfect
Depopulate- to get rid of an entire flock
Dirties- Eggs with dirt or stains covering more than 1/4 of the shell
Disinfectant- anything used to destroy disease-causing organisms
Disqualification- a defect or deformity serious enough to bar a chicken from a show
Down- the soft, fur-like fluff covering a newly hatched chick; also, the fluffy part near the bottom of any feather
Drench- to give liquid medication orally; also, the liquid medication itself
Dub- to trim the comb
Dual-purpose breed- a breed of chicken that will produce either eggs or meat. The all-arounder
Dust bathing- the act of a chicken wallowing in dirt to clean its feathers and discourage external parasites
E
Earlobe- the patches of fleshy, bare skin below a chicken's external auditory meatuses
Egg Tooth- a miniscule, sharp projection on a hatching chick's beak used to peck holes in their shell
Electrolytes- natural chemicals in the blood needed by body cells to maintain balance
Embryo- an unhatched, developing chick
Embryology- a branch of science devoted to the study of embryonic development
Exhibited Breeds- fancy chickens raised for show instead of production
Egg Tooth- a miniscule, sharp projection on a hatching chick's beak used to peck holes in their shell
Electrolytes- natural chemicals in the blood needed by body cells to maintain balance
Embryo- an unhatched, developing chick
Embryology- a branch of science devoted to the study of embryonic development
Exhibited Breeds- fancy chickens raised for show instead of production
F
Feather-legged- having feathered shanks
Fertility- the state of being fertile
Finish- the fat beneath the skin of a broiler or roaster chicken
Flock-a group of chickens living together
Forced-air Incubator- A mechanical device for hatching fertile eggs that has a fan to circulate warm air
Fowl- Domesticated birds raised for food
Free-Range Chickens- uncaged fowl allowed to forage wherever they choose
Frizzle- feathers that curl instead of laying flat; also a specific breed of chicken having frizzled feathers
Fryer- a tender 9-12 week old meat chicken generally weighing 2.5-3.5 pounds; also called a broiler
Fertility- the state of being fertile
Finish- the fat beneath the skin of a broiler or roaster chicken
Flock-a group of chickens living together
Forced-air Incubator- A mechanical device for hatching fertile eggs that has a fan to circulate warm air
Fowl- Domesticated birds raised for food
Free-Range Chickens- uncaged fowl allowed to forage wherever they choose
Frizzle- feathers that curl instead of laying flat; also a specific breed of chicken having frizzled feathers
Fryer- a tender 9-12 week old meat chicken generally weighing 2.5-3.5 pounds; also called a broiler
G
Gizzard- the tough internal organ where food is macerated
Grade- to sort according to quality
Grit- pebbles, sand,or a commercial "grit" product ingested by a chicken, and used by the gizzard to grind food
Grade- to sort according to quality
Grit- pebbles, sand,or a commercial "grit" product ingested by a chicken, and used by the gizzard to grind food
H
Hackles- a rooster's neck feathers; sometimes collectively called his cape
Hatch- a group of chicks who emerge from their shells at about the same time
Hen- a female chickens at least one year old
Hen-Feathered Rooster- a male chicken having rounded feathers (not pointed)
Humidity-the amount of moisture in the air
Hybrid-a cross-bred bird or animal bred for certain looks, traits, or behaviors; when bred together, hybrids don't produce offspring with their own characteristics
Hatch- a group of chicks who emerge from their shells at about the same time
Hen- a female chickens at least one year old
Hen-Feathered Rooster- a male chicken having rounded feathers (not pointed)
Humidity-the amount of moisture in the air
Hybrid-a cross-bred bird or animal bred for certain looks, traits, or behaviors; when bred together, hybrids don't produce offspring with their own characteristics
I
Immunity- ability to resist infectionInbred Chicken- the offspring of closely related parents; inbreeding is a valuable tool by which breeders set certain characteristics within their certain characteristics within their chosen bloodlines
Incubation- the act of hatching eggs
Incubation Period- the time it takes for a bird's egg to hatch; also, the time it takes from exposure to a disease-causing agent, until the first symptoms appear.
K
Keel-the breastbone of a chicken; resembles the keel of a boat
Keet- a baby guinea
Keet- a baby guinea
L
Larger Chicken, Large Fowl- the original, "normal sized" chicken (as opposed to bantams), sometimes erroneously called standard chickens
Layer, laying Hen- A chicken kept for egg production
Layer, laying Hen- A chicken kept for egg production
M
Meat Breed Chicken-a breed of chicken developed for quick growth and heavy muscling
Mite- a tiny, joint-legged body parasite
Molt- the annual shedding and renewal of plumage
Muff- a group of feathers bristling out from the sides of bearded breeds' faces; also called whiskers
Mite- a tiny, joint-legged body parasite
Molt- the annual shedding and renewal of plumage
Muff- a group of feathers bristling out from the sides of bearded breeds' faces; also called whiskers
N
Nest- a dark, secluded place where a hen feels it's safe to lay her eggs
Nesting Box- man-made cubicles placed in hen houses so hens can lay their eggs away from the main flow of trafic
Nest Egg- an artificial egg placed in a nest to encourage hens to lay there
Nesting Box- man-made cubicles placed in hen houses so hens can lay their eggs away from the main flow of trafic
Nest Egg- an artificial egg placed in a nest to encourage hens to lay there
P
Parasite- An organism the lives on or inside the host animal and derives food or protection from the host without giving anything in return
Pasting- diarrhea stuck to a chick or chickens vent area
Pecking Order- the social order of chickens
Pen- a group of chickens entered in a show and judged together; also, a group of chickens housed together for breeding purposes
Pigmentation- the color of a chickens beak, shanks, and vent
Pinfeathers- the tips of newly emerging feathers
Pip- (noun) the hole a hatching chick makes in the egg shell. (verb) the act of an emerging chick breaking a hole in her shell as part of the hatching process
Plumage- the total set of feathers covering a chicken
Poultry- Chickens or other domesticated birds raised for food
Predator- One animal that hunts another for food
Pullet- a female chicken less than one year old
Purebred- a chicken whose parents who are both the same breed
Pasting- diarrhea stuck to a chick or chickens vent area
Pecking Order- the social order of chickens
Pen- a group of chickens entered in a show and judged together; also, a group of chickens housed together for breeding purposes
Pigmentation- the color of a chickens beak, shanks, and vent
Pinfeathers- the tips of newly emerging feathers
Pip- (noun) the hole a hatching chick makes in the egg shell. (verb) the act of an emerging chick breaking a hole in her shell as part of the hatching process
Plumage- the total set of feathers covering a chicken
Poultry- Chickens or other domesticated birds raised for food
Predator- One animal that hunts another for food
Pullet- a female chicken less than one year old
Purebred- a chicken whose parents who are both the same breed
R
Rales- Any abnormal sound coming from the airways
Ration- the combination of all feed consumed in one day
Roaster- a 3-5 month old meat chicken of either sex, weighing 4-6 pounds
Roost- (noun) the place, usually elevated rails, where chickens sleep at night. (verb) the act of roosting
Rooster- a male chicken of at least one year of age; also called a cock
Ration- the combination of all feed consumed in one day
Roaster- a 3-5 month old meat chicken of either sex, weighing 4-6 pounds
Roost- (noun) the place, usually elevated rails, where chickens sleep at night. (verb) the act of roosting
Rooster- a male chicken of at least one year of age; also called a cock
S
Saddle- collectively, the feathers on a roosters back, just before the tail
Scales-the small, hard, overlapping plates covering a chicken's shanks and toes
Scratch-(verb) the act of scratching the ground in search of food. (noun) any grain product fed to chickens
Set- the act of allowing or encouraging a broody hen to incubate eggs
Setting- the incubation of eggs by a hen (incorrectly called "sitting" by those who try too hard to be grammatically correct)
Sex-linked Breeds- breeds of chickens in which male and female chickens hatch different colors or patterns, thus making accurate sexing immediately possible
Sexed Chicks- all cockerels or all pullets separated by sex
Shank- the lower part of a chicken's leg between its claw and first joint
Sickle Feathers- a long, curved rooster tail feather
Shell Membranes- two thin membranes immediately inside of an egg shell
Smut- Black feathers that are uncharacteristic for the breed, such as black body feathers on a Rhode Island Red
Spent Hen- a worn-out hen, no longer laying well
Spurs- the sharp pointed appendages on a rooster's shanks
Standard- a description in word and picture of a breed's ideal specimen
Started Pullets- 16-22 week old on the brink of laying; usually purchased from a specialist breeder
Starter-commercial feed ration formulated for newly hatched chicks; there are two formulations, regular and broiler chick starters
Starve Out- the act of newly hatched chicks refusing to eat
Still Air Incubator- a mechanical device for hatching fertile eggs that does not have a fan
Steal- a hen's instinctive habit of hiding her eggs
Sterile- permanent inability to reproduce
Stewing Hen-a tough, old hen suitable only for pressurized or moist, slow cooking
Straight Run- newly hatched, unsexed chicks; a package of straight run chicks contains both cockerels and pullets
Scales-the small, hard, overlapping plates covering a chicken's shanks and toes
Scratch-(verb) the act of scratching the ground in search of food. (noun) any grain product fed to chickens
Set- the act of allowing or encouraging a broody hen to incubate eggs
Setting- the incubation of eggs by a hen (incorrectly called "sitting" by those who try too hard to be grammatically correct)
Sex-linked Breeds- breeds of chickens in which male and female chickens hatch different colors or patterns, thus making accurate sexing immediately possible
Sexed Chicks- all cockerels or all pullets separated by sex
Shank- the lower part of a chicken's leg between its claw and first joint
Sickle Feathers- a long, curved rooster tail feather
Shell Membranes- two thin membranes immediately inside of an egg shell
Smut- Black feathers that are uncharacteristic for the breed, such as black body feathers on a Rhode Island Red
Spent Hen- a worn-out hen, no longer laying well
Spurs- the sharp pointed appendages on a rooster's shanks
Standard- a description in word and picture of a breed's ideal specimen
Started Pullets- 16-22 week old on the brink of laying; usually purchased from a specialist breeder
Starter-commercial feed ration formulated for newly hatched chicks; there are two formulations, regular and broiler chick starters
Starve Out- the act of newly hatched chicks refusing to eat
Still Air Incubator- a mechanical device for hatching fertile eggs that does not have a fan
Steal- a hen's instinctive habit of hiding her eggs
Sterile- permanent inability to reproduce
Stewing Hen-a tough, old hen suitable only for pressurized or moist, slow cooking
Straight Run- newly hatched, unsexed chicks; a package of straight run chicks contains both cockerels and pullets
T
Tin Hen-an artificial incubator
Trachea- Windpipe
Trio- a rooster and two hens of the same breed and variety
Type- a breed's look; the distinctive size, shape, and appearance that indicate what breed a chicken belongs to.
Trachea- Windpipe
Trio- a rooster and two hens of the same breed and variety
Type- a breed's look; the distinctive size, shape, and appearance that indicate what breed a chicken belongs to.
V
Variety- Subdivision of a breed according to color, comb style, beard, or leg feathering
Vent- the cloaca's outside opening; through which a chicken eliminates and lays eggs
W
Wattles- two dangles of flesh drooping down from the outer edges of a chicken's chin
Whiskers- Muffs
Whiskers- Muffs
This glossary was compiled from information retrieved from: Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens and Hobby Farms: Chickens