Hen vs. Chicken: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 27, 2023
A hen is a mature female chicken, while a chicken refers to the bird in general, regardless of age or gender.
Key Differences
When people talk about chickens, they could be referring to the bird as a species. Chickens are domesticated birds kept primarily for their eggs and meat. The term encompasses the entire species, which means it covers both males and females, young and old. A hen, on the other hand, has a specific gender and age reference; it describes an adult female chicken.
Hens are integral to the farming ecosystem, as they lay eggs. When someone mentions they're getting eggs from their chickens, it's the hens they're referring to. Chickens, in a broader sense, contribute to farms in numerous ways – roosters, for instance, might be used for breeding or even as guard animals, while hens are primarily valued for egg production.
When it comes to the poultry market, the term chicken is widely used to describe the meat you buy, be it from a rooster, a hen, or a younger bird. Hens, after their egg-producing years, might end up as meat, but in many commercial settings, broilers – chickens raised specifically for meat – are more commonly consumed.
In casual conversations, the word chicken is more common. If someone mentions they have chickens in their backyard, it doesn't provide specific information about the mix of roosters, hens, or chicks they might have. However, if someone specifically uses the term hen, it's clear they are discussing adult female chickens.
Comparison Chart
Gender
Female
Any gender (male, female)
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Age
Adult
Any age (chick, juvenile, adult)
Primary Role on Farm
Egg production
Egg production, meat, breeding
Usage in Meat Industry
Less common for meat
Commonly used for meat
General Reference
Specific to adult females
General term for the bird species
Hen and Chicken Definitions
Hen
Can become broody.
The hen sat firmly on her eggs, showing signs of broodiness.
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Chicken
Can refer to any gender or age.
That chicken could be a rooster, hen, or even a chick.
Hen
An adult female chicken.
The hen laid an egg in the coop.
Chicken
A domesticated bird raised for eggs and meat.
The farmer has a large flock of chickens.
Hen
Distinct from roosters.
Unlike the rooster, the hen doesn't crow at dawn.
Chicken
Commonly consumed poultry meat.
She prepared a delicious chicken curry for dinner.
Hen
Known for egg production.
The farmer relies on the hen for consistent eggs.
Chicken
A central figure in many jokes.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Hen
A female bird, especially the adult female chicken.
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
The female of certain aquatic animals, such as an octopus or lobster.
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Hen
Often Offensive Slang A usually older woman, especially one who is engaged in conversation with other women.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Hen
A female chicken (Gallus gallus), particularly a sexually mature one kept for her eggs.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Hen
A female of other bird species, particularly a sexually mature female fowl.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Hen
(uncommon) A female fish (especially a salmon or trout) or crustacean.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Hen
A woman, particularly
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Hen
A bride-to-be, particularly in the context of her "hen night" festivities.
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Hen
A hen night.
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Hen
An affectionate term of address used to women or girls.
Don't cry, hen. Everything will be all right.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Hen
A henlike person of either sex.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Hen
The hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), a bivalve shellfish.
Chicken
A coward.
Hen
(dialectal) Hence.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Hen
(dialectal) To throw.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
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
The game of dare.
Hen
Adult female chicken
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.
Hen
Adult female bird
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Hen
Flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Hen
Female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
Chicken
Plural of chick
Hen
Often protective of chicks.
The hen clucked protectively, gathering her chicks nearby.
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
Chicken
Used in expressions to denote fear.
Don't be a chicken; it's just a small jump!
FAQs
Which one lays eggs, hen or chicken?
Only hens lay eggs.
Is chicken meat always from hens?
No, chicken meat can come from roosters, hens, or broilers.
Is every chicken a hen?
No, only adult female chickens are hens.
Why might someone specify "hen" instead of "chicken"?
Using "hen" specifically denotes adult female chickens.
Do all chickens grow up to be hens?
No, only female chickens grow up to be hens; males become roosters.
Can a chick be called a chicken?
Yes, "chicken" can refer to birds of any age.
Which is more specific in terms of age and gender: hen or chicken?
Hen is more specific, referring only to adult females.
How can you differentiate a hen from a rooster?
Hens and roosters often have distinct physical features and behaviors, with roosters typically having more prominent combs and spurs.
Can both hens and roosters be called chickens?
Yes, the term "chicken" can refer to any gender or age.
Are all chickens kept for meat?
No, some are kept for egg production, breeding, or even as pets.
Do hens sing?
Hens can make a "cackling" sound, especially after laying an egg, but it's not singing in a human sense.
Are hens social animals?
Yes, both hens and other chickens are social and often establish a "pecking order" within their groups.
When does a chicken become a hen?
A female chicken becomes a hen when she reaches maturity.
Why do some farms keep more hens than roosters?
Hens lay eggs, so they are often kept in larger numbers for egg production.
Is "chicken" ever used to describe other poultry?
Typically, "chicken" specifically refers to this species, but it might be used colloquially for other birds.
Are all chickens on a farm hens?
No, a farm's chicken population can consist of roosters, hens, and chicks.
What do chickens eat?
Chickens are omnivores; they can eat grains, seeds, insects, and even small rodents or reptiles.
Can a chicken be both a hen and a broiler?
No, broilers are chickens raised specifically for meat, whereas hens are adult female chickens.
How long does a chicken live?
With proper care, a chicken can live 5-10 years, but it varies by breed and environment.
Why are some hens called "broody"?
A broody hen wants to hatch eggs and will sit on them consistently, often showing protective behavior.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
