Know Basic Poultry Terminology

 

KNOW BASIC POULTRY TERMINOLOGY 

Newly hatched baby chickens are called chicks. They are typically less than 6 weeks old.

Chicks that are fully feathered – around 2 months old – are often called juveniles.

Young female chickens who are not yet old enough to lay eggs are called pullets.

Young male chickens who are not yet old enough to crow or mate hens are called cockerels.

Female chickens who are around 6 months old and have just begun laying their first eggs, which start off small and increase in size over the first month of laying, are called point-of-lay pullets or point-of-lay hens.

Adult female chickens who are laying full-size eggs are called laying hens. When buying a hen the seller should disclose their age.

Hens that are over 2 years old will experience a slow-down in her egg laying, giving only 3-4 eggs per week but still consuming as much feed as a young hen laying 5-7 eggs per week.

Hens that are 3+ years old may be laying very few to zero eggs per week. Do not buy hens 3 years old or older!