Chicken vs. Hen Confusion Is Common but the Difference Matters

"Chicken" is the general term for the species. It refers to all domesticated birds of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, regardless of age or sex. Whether you're talking about chicks, roosters, hens, or meat birds, they’re all chickens.

In cooking, the word "chicken" covers everything from chicken meat to fried and roasted dishes. It’s a catch-all term used in both the food industry and household kitchens.

A hen is an adult female chicken that has reached sexual maturity. Once a female bird starts laying eggs, she's classified as a hen. Egg laying typically begins around 18 to 20 weeks of age, depending on the breed and health conditions.

Hens are the backbone of egg production in the poultry industry, and breeds are selectively bred for productivity. After their productive years, they may be processed as hen meat, although it’s tougher than typical broiler cuts and often used in stews.

The adult male chicken is called a rooster, and his younger counterpart is a cockerel. Male chickens don’t lay eggs but play a role in breeding. Male birds are typically more aggressive and are easily distinguished by features like brighter feathers, larger combs, and crowing.

A young female chicken that hasn’t reached egg-laying maturity is known as a pullet. Pullets usually start laying around six months old. All newly hatched chickens — both males and females — are referred to as chicks.

In some poultry farming operations, young males are less valued due to their limited use in egg production and slower growth, compared to meat breeds.

When it comes to chicken meat, most people eat broilers — chickens bred specifically for fast growth and tender meat. These birds are harvested at a young age to avoid severe health problems (such as heart failure) that often accompany their rapid growth.

Hen meat, by contrast, comes from adult females and has a firmer texture and stronger flavor. Cooking with hen meat often requires slow cooking methods or pressure cookers.

Only female chickens lay eggs, and not all do so at the same rate. High-producing hens can lay over 300 eggs per year. Factors affecting egg production include diet, light exposure, breed, and age.

Egg-laying slows down with age and may stop entirely, which is when hens are sometimes removed from the egg cycle and processed.

People often confuse the terms because both hens and roosters are chickens, and we tend to use the term "chicken" more in food contexts. Even in poultry farming, terminology varies by country, breeder, and purpose.

Understanding the differences — from sexual maturity and egg laying to meat cuts and breeding behaviors — is essential whether you're raising a backyard flock or buying from a grocery store

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.