Hen vs. Chicken — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
A hen is a mature female chicken that lays eggs, while "chicken" refers to any bird of the species, regardless of gender or age.
Difference Between Hen and Chicken
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hen specifically refers to a female chicken that has reached maturity and is capable of laying eggs. Whereas, the term "chicken" is used more broadly to refer to any bird of this species, including males (roosters), females (hens), and young birds (chicks).
Hens are primarily recognized for their role in egg production once they reach a certain age, typically around five months. On the other hand, chickens can refer to individuals at any stage of life, from the newly hatched chick to the fully grown adult.
In terms of physical characteristics, hens typically have less pronounced physical features compared to roosters, such as smaller combs and wattles, and they lack the long, ornamental tail feathers that roosters possess. Chickens, as a general category, include the full range of physical traits found across the species, varying widely between males and females.
Behaviorally, hens often show nurturing tendencies, especially when they are brooding or raising their chicks. Chickens, in a broader sense, display a wider variety of behaviors, from the territorial actions of roosters to the more social and foraging behaviors of hens.
In farming and culinary contexts, "hen" might be used to specify the type of chicken meat or eggs desired, due to the textural differences in meat and the hen's role in egg production. "Chicken" can be used to describe any type of meat from the bird, regardless of the gender or age of the individual.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A mature female chicken
Any member of the species
Role
Egg laying
Includes all roles (meat, eggs, breeding)
Physical Traits
Smaller combs, no ornamental feathers
Includes all physical variations of the species
Behavior
Nurturing, less aggressive
Varies widely (territorial in roosters, social in hens)
Culinary Use
Specific to egg production and meat texture
General term for meat from any gender or age
Compare with Definitions
Hen
Slang for a woman, often pejorative.
They called her the old hen because she was always clucking about something.
Chicken
A colloquial term for someone who is afraid.
Don’t be such a chicken!
Hen
A female chicken, especially when mature.
The hen laid an egg every morning.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat.
They raise chickens in the backyard.
Hen
In zoology, a female bird of other species, not just chickens.
The peahen is less colorful than the peacock.
Chicken
Young chickens are often referred to as chicks.
The chicks hatched from their eggs in the spring.
Hen
Used to describe a female that produces eggs.
The farm had twenty hens for egg production.
Chicken
The meat from this bird used as food.
We’re having chicken for dinner tonight.
Hen
A term used in farming to distinguish from roosters.
The hens are kept in a separate coop.
Chicken
Used generically for both male and female birds.
The chicken coop was built to house fifty chickens.
Hen
The female of certain aquatic animals, such as an octopus or lobster.
Chicken
Easily frightened
Hen
Often Offensive Slang A usually older woman, especially one who is engaged in conversation with other women.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Hen
(uncommon) A female fish (especially a salmon or trout) or crustacean.
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
Hen
A woman, particularly
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Hen
A bride-to-be, particularly in the context of her "hen night" festivities.
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Hen
A hen night.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Hen
An affectionate term of address used to women or girls.
Don't cry, hen. Everything will be all right.
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Hen
The hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), a bivalve shellfish.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Hen
(dialectal) Hence.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Hen
(dialectal) To throw.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Hen
The female of the domestic fowl; also, the female of grouse, pheasants, or any kind of birds; as, the heath hen; the gray hen.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Hen
Flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Hen
Female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
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
Common Curiosities
Is there a difference in the taste of meat from hens compared to other chickens?
Yes, hen meat can be tougher and more flavorful than meat from younger chickens.
What is the main purpose of a hen?
The main purpose of a hen is to lay eggs.
Can all chickens lay eggs?
Only female chickens, known as hens, lay eggs.
What are common misconceptions about hens?
A common misconception is that all chickens can lay eggs, but only hens (mature females) can.
At what age does a chicken become a hen?
A female chicken is typically considered a hen when she reaches about five months old and begins to lay eggs.
Can hens live with roosters?
Yes, hens can live with roosters, and often do in a mixed flock.
What distinguishes a hen from other chickens?
A hen is specifically a mature female chicken capable of laying eggs.
How can you tell a hen from a rooster?
Hens generally have smaller combs and wattles and lack the ornamental tail feathers that roosters have.
Do hens behave differently from roosters?
Yes, hens are often less aggressive and more nurturing, especially when they have chicks.
What care do hens need compared to other chickens?
Hens require nesting areas for egg laying and may need extra calcium in their diet to support egg production.
Why might someone prefer to keep hens rather than roosters?
Many prefer to keep hens due to their egg-laying capabilities and generally quieter and less aggressive nature compared to roosters.
Can you eat eggs from any hen?
Yes, eggs from any hen are edible, provided the hen is healthy and the eggs are properly collected and stored.
How long do hens typically lay eggs?
Hens can lay eggs for several years, but their peak laying period is usually between 1 and 3 years old.
Is it better to buy a hen or a chicken for egg laying?
For egg laying, it is specifically better to buy a hen, as only hens lay eggs.
Are hens used in fighting like roosters?
No, hens are not typically used in fighting; this is more common with roosters.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited 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.
