What is a young male chicken called? A young male chicken is called a Cockerel. This is term typically given to a male chicken that is less than a year old. After a year, or when they mature and start mating they become roosters.
The world of chickens can get a little confusing at times as they are lots of different terms, names, and terminology to learn.
Here is a list of everything you should ever need to know:
Table of Contents
Terms for Baby Chickens
Sexed Chicks - As the name suggests, this is the term for new chicks that have been sexed so the seller is (fairly) sure if they’re selling males or females.
Straight-Run Chicks - It’s difficult sexing newborn chicks. A lot of sellers will sell them in batches of “as-hatched” unsexed chicks, these are called straight run chicks.
Chick - The common name for a baby chicken.
Peep - Another term commonly used for very young chicks.
Terms for Female Chickens
Pullet - A female chicken that is less than a year old and typically not laying eggs yet.
Point-of-Lay - A point-of-lay is a chicken that is about to start laying. This is will typically mean they are around 17 to 20 weeks of age.
Broody - A broody hen is a mother hen that is either sitting on eggs waiting for them to hatch, or mothering new hew chicks.
Hen - A hen is a mature female chicken that has started laying eggs.
Terms for Male Chickens
Cockerel - A cockerel is a young male chicken. Usually up to a year in age or when they start mating.
Capon - A capon is a neutered rooster.
Rooster - A rooster is a male chicken, this is what cockerels become when they have matured.
Roo - The word roo is basically just a slang term for a rooster, it comes from “roo”-ster.
Collective Nouns for Chickens
Here are the terms used for groups of chickens:
Flock - Flock is the word generally used to describe a group of birds, and it’s used as a collective noun for chickens.
A flock can mean a group of male and female chickens, a group of hens, or a group of roosters.
Brood - A brood is a group of baby chicks that were hatched together. It’s also sometimes the word used to describe a group of hens.
Clutch - Ever heard the term, “clutch of eggs”. Well, you have now. This is the correct word for a group of eggs underneath a broody hen or the chicks that have just hatched.
Other Chicken-Related Terms
Here are some more useful chicken-related terms and words you should know:
Bantam - If you’re learning about chickens, you have to check out bantams. They are miniature chickens, usually around half the size of less. Perfect for backyard flocks in built-up urban areas.
Broiler - A broiler chicken is one that is being bred and raised for its meat. They typically reach their slaughter weight in just 14 weeks.
Chook - Chook is another word for chicken, like a slang term. It’s most popularly used in Australia and the UK.
