What is the term for a young female chicken?

A young female chicken is referred to as a pullet. This term is commonly used in poultry farming to differentiate young females, typically under one year old, from their older counterparts, known as hens. Hens are adult female chickens, typically over one year of age, that have begun laying eggs.

The other terms relate to male chickens or different categories entirely. A cockerel is a young male chicken, usually under one year of age, while a rooster refers to an adult male chicken that is also capable of mating. Understanding these distinctions is important for poultry management and farming practices, as they influence breeding, egg production, and overall flock management.