Fowl Language

If you are just getting started raising chickens, you might be coming across numerous terms and jargon with which you are unfamiliar. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! See below for a great list of common chicken terms and their definitions

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All Flock Feed- A feed specifically formulated for mixed flocks of poultry
Arolium- Medication used as an aid to prevent and treat coccidiosis and can be found in some medicated chick feeds
Avian Influenza- A naturally occurring virus that effects chickens and other species of poultry

B

Bantam- Refers to small breeds of chicken (AKA Miniature Chicken)
Beard- The elongated feathers below the beak area that created a puffy look to some birds
Bedding/Litter- A material used to cover the floor/ground in confined spaces
Biosecurity- Process for protecting backyard chickens from infectious diseases and spreading them
Bloom- A thin coating that covers an egg and prevents bacteria from effecting the egg
Blastoderm-A small white bullseye on the egg yolk indicating a fertile egg
Blastodisc- A small white disc on the egg yolk indicating an infertile egg
Brooder- A type of heated enclosure for raising chicks
Broody- A chicken that has decided to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs- wants to be a mama!
Bumblefoot- A bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction on the feet of birds

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Candle- Shining a light on the backside of an egg to examine its contents
Chick- Newly Hatched Chicken
Chicken Tractor- A movable chicken coop lacking a floor allowing flock access to the earth beneath them
Chicken Wire- Light wire netting with a hexagonal mesh
Cloaca- An all-in-one urinating, defecating and mating mechanism located on the hind end of the chicken
Clutch- A group of 12 to 15 eggs laid by hen for hatching
Coccidiosis- Intestinal disease that occurs when a microscopic parasitic organism attaches itself to the intestinal lining
Cockerel- Male that is under a year old
Cock- Male that is a year or older
Comb- A featherless crest at the top of a chickens head
Conjunctivitis- Eye infection in chickens
Coop- An enclosure where chickens are kept safe and secure
Crest- The feathers protruding from the top of a chickens head
Crookneck- "torticollis" Describes the abnormal head and neck position of a chicken infected with this disease; also known as wry neck and stargazing
Crop- Part of the digestive system on chickens that stores food before continuing on to be fully digested
Culling- Identifying and removing non-laying or diseased birds

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Dual Purpose Breed- Breed of chicken that is raised for both eggs and meat
Down- Fine layer of feathers that covers young birds and is found under the tough exterior feathers of older birds
Dust Bath- Bathing in dirt or other substances to help remove external parasites and groom plumage

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External Pip- During the hatching process, the chick's rst small crack or hole in the shell is called the external pip

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Fowl Pox- Viral disease in chickens and other species of poultry that causes lesions on skin (cutaneous form) and can affect respiratory tract and upper GI (diphtheritic form)
Frizzle- A genetically programmed ornamental feather type causing the curling of feathers

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Gamebird Show bird Feed- A feed with higher protein for to promote growth in gamebirds, show birds and meat birds
Grit- Crushed rock that helps break down food in the gizzard. Oyster shells are also used

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Hardware Cloth- A sturdy mesh product made of metal or plastic used generally on the coop to keep them contained
Hen- Female that is a year or older
Helicopter Wings- Broken or twisted feathers, a sign of disease or sickness in chickens

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Incubator-A machine that maintains the perfect temperatures to hatch an egg
Internal Pip- During the hatching process, when the chick breaches the membrane into the air cell of the egg, it is called the internal pip

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Juvenile- A young male or female bird

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Layer Breed- Breed of chicken that is raised primarily for egg collection
Layer Feed-A feed formulated for hens at laying age to support healthy and strong egg production

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Mites- Bugs that live on the skin of chickens
Molting- Loss of feathers due to change in season followed by re-growth
Muff- A developing feather seen on maturing birds as well as after molt

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Nesting Box- A cubicle where a chicken can privately lay eggs
Newcastle Disease- An extremely contagious disease affecting birds, including domestic poultry

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Ornamental Breed- Breed of chicken that is raised primarily for show or exhibition

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Paralysis- When a chicken is paralyzed, preventing them from moving normally
Pasty Butt- Describes the condition that occurs when a chicks vent is covered in feces and becomes clogged
Pin- A developing feather seen on maturing birds as well as after molt
Poultry Lice- Insects that live only on chickens and their feathers
Production Breed- Breed of chicken that is raised for high egg production or meat production
Pullet- Female that is under a year old

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Rooster- A male chicken (includes cock and cockerel)
Roosting- A chicken or group of chickens resting, likely on an elevated perch
Run- A fenced or enclosed outdoor space for your chickens

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Saddle- Feathers in front of the tail on roosters
Scratch- Blended and whole unfortied grains that commonly includes corn
Salmonella- Intestinal bacteria that is typically heard about when discussing food poisoning
Sickle- The pair of long curving feathers on a cock's tail
Spurs- A sharp appendage that can grow on the legs of chickens
Starter Grower Feed- A feed formulated for growing chicks up to laying age or 16 weeks for hens

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Vent- An opening in chickens where waste and eggs are expelled

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Wattle- Flesh under the beak of a chicken that is used as a heat regulating mechanism
Wry Neck- Typically seen in chicks causing them to twist their neck, stare upwards and have trouble standing likely caused by a Vitamin E or selenium deficiency

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