A chicken can be either male or female; "chicken" is a general term for the species. The sex of a chicken is determined by its individual biology.
Here's a breakdown:
Understanding Chicken Sex
| Term | Sex | Age | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hen | Female | Adult | An adult female chicken. |
| Pullet | Female | Young (Under 1 Year) | A young female chicken, typically less than a year old. Specifically, in the poultry industry, a pullet is considered sexually immature and less than 22 weeks of age. |
| Rooster | Male | Adult | A fertile adult male chicken, especially in North America. |
| Chick | Either | Juvenile (Young) | A young chicken of either sex. |
- Examples: You might have a flock of chickens that includes both hens (female) and roosters (male).
