Chicken vs. Cockerel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Chicken refers generally to both male and female domestic fowl, whereas a cockerel is specifically a young male chicken, often under one year old.
Difference Between Chicken and Cockerel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When discussing poultry farming, chickens are often categorized by purpose, such as egg-laying or meat production, whereas cockerels are specifically raised for meat or future breeding purposes.
In terms of behavior, chickens vary widely, with hens often showing nesting tendencies. On the other hand, cockerels begin to exhibit more aggressive and territorial behaviors as they mature.
The physical appearance of chickens can differ significantly between breeds, but generally, all chickens develop adult plumage. In contrast, cockerels often have more vibrant and distinctive plumage as they mature, which helps in identifying their gender.
The role of chickens in cultural and culinary contexts is broad, often symbolizing fertility and domesticity. Cockerels, however, are frequently associated with morning wakefulness due to their crowing, which develops as they grow older.
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Egg production, meat, or pets.
Meat production or breeding when mature.
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Behavior
Varies by gender and breed.
Shows early signs of aggression and crowing.
Physical Characteristics
Adult plumage varies by breed.
Develops vibrant plumage during maturity.
Symbolism
Fertility, domesticity.
Vigilance, morning activity.
Compare with Definitions
Chicken
In slang, represents a game of daring.
They played chicken at the intersection.
Cockerel
A term used less commonly outside of farming contexts.
The children were fascinated by the cockerel at the petting zoo.
Chicken
A type of poultry consumed worldwide.
Chicken is a versatile ingredient in many dishes.
Cockerel
A young male chicken, especially under one year old.
The cockerel crowed every morning at dawn.
Chicken
Often used as a synonym for cowardice.
Don’t be such a chicken, try the roller coaster!
Cockerel
Often raised for its potential as a breeder.
That cockerel has been selected for breeding.
Chicken
Can refer to any gender or age within the species.
The chicken roamed freely in the backyard.
Cockerel
Shows early signs of territorial behavior.
The cockerel fluffed his feathers and faced the intruder.
Chicken
A domestic bird kept for its eggs or meat.
The farm has over a hundred chickens.
Cockerel
Known for its beginning crowing sounds.
The young cockerel is just learning to crow.
Chicken
The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), a subspecies of the red junglefowl, is a type of domesticated fowl, originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and younger male may be called a cockerel.
Cockerel
A young domestic cock.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Cockerel
A young rooster.
Chicken
A game in which the first person to lose their nerve and withdraw from a dangerous situation is the loser
He was killed by a car after he lay in the road playing chicken
Cockerel
A young male chicken.
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Cockerel
A young cock.
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Cockerel
A young domestic cock; not older than one year
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Chicken
A coward.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Chicken
The game of dare.
Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Chicken
Plural of chick
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Chicken
Easily frightened
Common Curiosities
What is a cockerel?
A cockerel is a young male chicken, specifically under one year old.
How are chickens and cockerels different?
Chickens can be male or female and of any age, whereas cockerels are specifically young males.
Can a cockerel lay eggs?
No, only female chickens (hens) can lay eggs.
Are all chickens used for meat production?
Not all; some are specifically bred for egg production or kept as pets.
Why might a farmer raise cockerels?
Farmers raise cockerels primarily for meat production or to grow into roosters for breeding.
What is a chicken?
A chicken is any domestic fowl, male or female, used for egg production, meat, or as pets.
Is there a specific way to care for a cockerel?
Care involves proper feeding, space for exercise, and sometimes separation from hens until mature.
At what age does a cockerel become a rooster?
A cockerel becomes a rooster at about one year old.
What is the typical behavior of a cockerel?
Cockerels often exhibit more aggressive behaviors and crowing as they approach maturity.
What does a cockerel look like?
A cockerel typically has vibrant and distinct plumage as it matures.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
