When starting any new venture, it’s important to know the lingo. What is a pullet versus a cockerel? What in the world is tidbitting? Chickens have a vent?! Get ready for a little chicken terminology 101 and read chicken terms for beginners.
All Flock Feed A feed formulated for a mixed flock of poultry
Avian Influenza A virus that effects birds, also known as bird flu, and can infect humans
Bantam Miniature chicken breeds such as the Silkie Bantam
Beard Long feathers below the beak
Bloom A thing coating that prevents bacteria from entering the egg and is washed off before being sold commercially
Brooder A type of enclosure used to raise chicks
Broody Hen A female chicken who desires to hatch a clutch of eggs
Bumblefoot A bacterial infection on the bottom of a chicken’s foot
Candling Using a candle or flashlight to check the fertility and development of an egg
Chick A chicken that has newly hatched
Chicken Tractor A portable chicken coop with no floor allowing chickens to live on the bare ground
Chicken Wire Light duty metal wire in a hexagon shape used to keep chickens inside but not useful for predator protection
Clutch A group of eggs gathered for hatching
Cock Male chicken over one year of age, also known as a rooster
Cockerel Male chicken that is under one year of age
Comb Featherless skin at the top of a chicken’s head used for temperature regulation
Coop An enclosed home to secure chickens
Crest The feathers sticking up from some chicken breeds head
Crop Part of the digestive system that holds food
Down The fluffy fine feathers covering chicks and underneath adult feathers
Dual Purpose Breed Chicken breeds raised for both eggs and meat production such as the Rhode Island Red
Dubbing The act of cutting off a chicken’s comb and wattles to prevent damage from freezing
Dust Bath Bathing in dirt or sand to exfoliate external parasites and groom feathers
External Pip When a hatching chick first cracks the exterior of the egg
Fowl Pox A virus seen in poultry transmitted through mosquitoes
Frizzle A gene that produces curled feathers
Gamebird Showbird Feed A feed formulated with a higher protein content for game birds, show birds, and meat production birds
Gizzard A muscle found in the digestive system
Grit Crushed rock or tiny stones that helps break down food in the digestive system of birds
Hardware Cloth A sturdy metal mesh used to protect chickens and eggs from predators
Hen Female chicken over one year of age
Incubator A machine used to hatch eggs
Internal Pip When a hatching chick breaks the internal membrane of an egg and enters into the air pocket
Juvenile A young chicken of either gender
Layer Breed Chicken breeds that are raised primarily for egg production such as the Plymouth Rock
Layer Feed A feed formulated specifically for hens to support egg production and should not be fed to roosters
Mites Bugs that can live on chicken’s skin
Molting The seasonal loss and re-growth of feathers
Muff Short feathers covering a chicken’s face and/or below the chin
Nest Box A small cubby where chickens can lay their eggs in private
Ornamental Breed Chicken breeds raised primarily for shows or yard decoration such as the Phoenix
Pasty Butt When a chick’s vent is covered and clogged by feces
Pin Feathers A developing feather at the beginning stage of growth
Poultry Lice Lice that can only live on poultry
Production Breed Chicken breeds raised for their high production of eggs or meat such as the Leghorn
Pullet Female chicken that is under one year of age
Roosting Chickens sleeping off the ground on a perch
Run An enclosed outdoor space that allows chickens to roam
Saddle Feathers Feathers to the front sides of the tail and are rounded on a hen but pointy on a rooster
Scratch Whole grains including corn that can be fed as a treat
Sickle Feathers The long curling tail feathers on a rooster
Spurs Sharp horn-like appendages on a chicken’s legs that can be seen on both hens and roosters
Starter Grower Feed Feed formulated for chicks up to laying age
Vent An opening in chickens where waste and eggs come out
Vent Gleet A fungal yeast infection
Wattles The skin hanging underneath the beak used for temperature regulation
Wry Neck A condition usually seen in chicks where the neck is twisted thought to be caused by a vitamin deficiency
