Ever wondered what to call that loud, proud bird strutting around your chicken coop? If you’re new to raising chickens or just curious about poultry terminology, you might be confused about what exactly a male chicken is called. Well, I’m here to clear things up for you!
As someone who’s been raising chickens for years, I’ve learned that understanding the proper terms for your feathered friends isn’t just about sounding knowledgeable—it’s actually pretty important for communicating with other chicken enthusiasts, veterinarians, and when purchasing supplies for your flock
Different Names for Male Chickens Based on Age
A male chicken can go by several different names, and which one you use often depends on the bird’s age Let’s break this down
Rooster
The most common term for a mature male chicken is a rooster. This is what most people call an adult male chicken, especially in everyday conversation. If you’ve got a male chicken that’s over a year old, you’re looking at a rooster.
Cockerel
When a male chicken is young—typically less than one year old—it’s called a cockerel. Think of a cockerel as a teenage rooster, if you will. He’s not quite fully grown or mature, but he’s definitely showing those male characteristics.
Cock
In more formal settings, particularly in poultry exhibition circles and on breeding farms, a mature male chicken is called a cock. This term comes from the Old French word “coc” (or “coq”), meaning male bird. However, thanks to the Puritans who were uncomfortable with the slang meanings the word eventually took on, “rooster” became the more commonly used term in everyday language.
Capon
There’s also the term capon, which refers to a castrated male chicken. Capons are raised specifically for meat production, as they tend to grow larger and have more tender meat than intact roosters.
How the Rooster Got Its Name
Interestingly, we can thank the Puritans for the term “rooster.” As language evolved, the word “cock” began to take on various slang meanings that made the more conservative Puritans uncomfortable.
Initially, a male chicken was known as a “roost cock” (referring to a roosting bird). To avoid the increasingly crude connotations of “cock,” the Puritans shortened it to just “rooster.” And that name has stuck around in common usage ever since!
How to Identify a Rooster: Physical Characteristics
If you’re trying to determine whether a chicken is male or female, there are several physical characteristics to look for. These become more obvious as the bird matures:
1. Combs and Wattles
- Size and Color: Roosters typically have larger, redder combs and wattles compared to hens. The comb is that fleshy crest on top of the chicken’s head, while the wattles are those dangly bits under the chin.
- Development: These features will begin to grow more prominently when a cockerel is around 3-4 months old.
2. Feather Development
- Saddle Feathers: At around three months, cockerels will develop long, pointed saddle feathers in front of the tail. Hens have rounded saddle feathers instead.
- Hackle Feathers: These are the feathers around the neck. In roosters, they’re longer, thinner, and more pointed than in hens.
- Sickle Feathers: These are the curved, shiny feathers in the tail. Roosters have them; hens don’t.
3. Physical Build
- Size: Generally, roosters are larger and heavier than hens of the same breed.
- Posture: Roosters often stand taller and puff out their chests.
- Legs and Feet: Roosters have thicker legs and develop spurs, which are those pointy protrusions on the back of their legs.
4. Crowing
One of the most obvious signs is crowing. While it’s not a foolproof method (as some hens can occasionally crow), a chicken that regularly crows at dawn is almost certainly a rooster. Roosters typically begin crowing at around 4-5 months of age.
Rooster vs. Cockerel: What’s the Difference?
I often get asked about the distinction between a rooster and a cockerel, so let’s clarify this:
Age is the primary difference:
- A cockerel is a male chicken less than one year old
- A rooster is a male chicken one year or older
Physical differences are also noticeable:
- Wattles and Combs: Smaller and brighter in cockerels compared to roosters
- Legs and Feet: Cockerels have smaller, shorter, and thinner legs than roosters
- Spurs: Roosters have longer, stronger spurs
- Feathers: Tail, hackle, and saddle feathers are smaller in cockerels than in roosters
Think of it like comparing a teenage boy to a grown man—same gender, different stages of development.
The Important Role of Roosters in the Flock
Roosters aren’t just noisy alarm clocks—they serve several vital functions in a chicken flock:
1. Protection
A good rooster will fiercely protect his hens from predators. He’ll sound the alarm when danger approaches, and even fight off smaller predators like snakes or rats. I’ve seen my own rooster, Charlie, position himself between my hens and a hawk circling overhead.
2. Flock Management
Roosters help maintain order in the flock. They’ll keep hens from wandering too far and help settle disputes among flock members.
3. Food Finding
Roosters will often find bugs, grubs, and other treats, then call the hens over to eat. It’s actually pretty adorable to watch—they’ll make a specific clucking sound and won’t eat until their ladies have had first dibs.
4. Fertilization
If you want to hatch chicks, you’ll need a rooster to fertilize the eggs. Without a rooster, hens will still lay eggs, but they won’t be fertile.
Can Hens Lay Eggs Without a Rooster?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the most common misconceptions about chickens. Hens will lay eggs whether there’s a rooster present or not. Think of it like this: hens ovulate regardless of whether fertilization occurs, much like human females.
The rooster’s only role in egg production is fertilization. If you want chicks to hatch from your eggs, you’ll need a rooster. But if you’re just interested in eating eggs, no rooster is necessary.
Hens typically start laying eggs at around 18 weeks of age, and they’ll do so with or without a male chicken around.
Rooster Behavior: Are They Mean?
Roosters have gotten a bit of a bad rap for being aggressive, but the truth is more nuanced. Most roosters aren’t naturally mean, but they can become aggressive due to various factors:
Why Roosters Might Show Aggression:
- Protecting their hens
- Defending their territory
- Hormonal changes during breeding season
- Improper handling or previous negative experiences with humans
- Certain breeds are more prone to aggression than others
How to Tame an Aggressive Rooster:
- Don’t show aggression back – This only reinforces that you’re a threat
- Pick him up and cradle him – This establishes dominance without aggression
- Gently stroke his throat and wattles while speaking softly
- Set him down calmly when he’s relaxed
- Repeat as necessary until he learns you’re not a threat
I had a Barred Rock rooster named Rex who started getting a bit feisty when he reached maturity. After a few sessions of the “hold and cuddle” treatment, he chilled out and became a perfect gentleman. Though I will say, not all roosters respond to this approach, and some might be beyond rehabilitation.
Caring for Your Rooster
Roosters have a few special care needs beyond what your average hen requires:
Dietary Needs
Roosters eat basically the same foods as hens. A standard layer ration with 16-18% protein works well. During breeding season, a slightly higher protein content (18-20%) is beneficial. If you keep roosters separate from hens outside breeding season, they only need about 9% protein.
Spur and Toenail Management
Roosters grow spurs and toenails that require regular maintenance:
- Toenails: Like human nails, these grow continuously. If your rooster doesn’t have rough surfaces to naturally wear them down, you’ll need to trim them periodically.
- Spurs: These also grow throughout the rooster’s life and can become dangerously long and sharp. Regular trimming keeps them at a safe length.
How to Trim Spurs and Nails:
- Wash the feet in warm water to soften the nails and make the quick (blood supply) more visible
- Use pet nail clippers to trim toenails, taking no more than 1/8 inch at a time
- For spurs, either use pet clippers or a Dremel tool to blunt the tip
- Be careful not to cut into the quick, which starts about a half-inch from the leg
Space Requirements
Roosters need adequate space, especially if you have more than one. A general rule of thumb is to provide at least 4 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 square feet in the run. Multiple roosters may fight if space is limited, so plan accordingly.
Can You Eat a Rooster?
Yes, you can absolutely eat a rooster! While commercial meat chickens are typically processed young before gender differences become pronounced, roosters are perfectly edible.
However, there are some differences to be aware of:
- Rooster meat is typically chewier than hen meat
- It may require longer cooking times or specific preparation methods
- Older roosters are best used in slow-cooking recipes like coq au vin or chicken stock
- The meat is often more flavorful, making it excellent for stews and braises
The Crowing Conundrum: Managing Rooster Noise
Let’s be honest—the biggest complaint about roosters is their crowing. While there’s no foolproof way to completely prevent a rooster from crowing (it’s in their nature, after all), there are ways to minimize the disturbance:
Tips to Reduce Crowing Noise:
- Keep your rooster confined to the coop until well after dawn (when most crowing occurs)
- Insulate the coop walls to muffle sound
- Plant dense shrubs around the coop to absorb noise
- Place the rooster in a low-ceiling carrier overnight to prevent full neck extension (necessary for full-volume crowing)
- Consider a “no-crow collar” – these restrict the amount of air a rooster can expel while crowing
My neighbor used to complain about my rooster Rusty’s morning concerts until I started keeping him in the coop until 8 AM and planted a hedge between our properties. Problem solved!
Rooster Regulations: Check Your Local Laws
Before you add a rooster to your flock, it’s crucial to check your local ordinances. Many urban and suburban areas prohibit roosters due to noise concerns. Some places that allow backyard chickens specifically ban roosters.
Even in rural areas, there might be restrictions on how many roosters you can keep. Save yourself a headache (and potentially having to rehome your bird) by researching the rules first.
Whether you call him a rooster, cock, or cockerel, the male chicken is a fascinating and complex creature. With his striking appearance, protective nature, and yes, that infamous morning crow, he brings both challenges and rewards to the chicken keeper.
While not every backyard flock needs or can accommodate a rooster, understanding these magnificent birds helps us appreciate their important role in the poultry world. And if you do decide to add a male chicken to your flock, knowing the proper terminology and care requirements will set you both up for success.
Do you have a rooster in your flock? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below! And if you have any questions about raising roosters, feel free to ask—I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned over my years of chicken keeping.
Identifying an Adult Female vs. an Adult Male Chicken
When chicks mature, chicken breeders use a few visual signifiers to distinguish roosters from an adult hen.
The most obvious features between them are the rooster combs and wattles: flaps of skin that indicate high levels of testosterone and may also signal that the rooster is ready to fight off any male rivals. Most breeds of roosters feature a bright red comb for maximum visibility.
Other common indicators are the development of leg muscles and orientation of feathers. As they become ready to lay eggs, most adult female chicken breeds develop thicker legs with short, stubby claws. Meanwhile the same breed of roosters tend to retain long legs with sharp claws on their feet for defense.
Hen feathers tend to be soft and plush all along the body, while the rooster grows coarser, more exaggerated feathers. Hens keep short, rounded hackle feathers for their whole life, while most male chickens develop long and ornate hackle feathers along the ridge of their back.
Then there are the long saddle feathers, which populate the tail area and either point rearward or fan out to make the rooster appear larger to foes.
Can Female Chickens Change Sex?
Miss Lucille was a sweet little pullet (young hen), who found a cozy home in the chicken coop of Kristi Allens (not her real name) Powder Springs, Georgia, backyard. Initially, things appeared to be status quo with the young exchequer leghorn cross.
After observing her for a time, however, Allen noticed Miss Lucille was growing a comb. Although both sexes of the breed can have them, Allens instincts told her that perhaps something wasnt quite standard, so she sought the help of a local farmer. Allen recalls:
Advertisement “The farmer did all of the checks to confirm Miss Lucille was a miss. She had no long saddle feathers [pointy feathers at the base of the tail], no aggression, didnt jump or react in the presence of all the hens and roosters, and when she was laid back in the farmers hand, she stuck her legs out straight and just laid there. All are old timers tricks to identifying adult roosters since theres no definitive way to tell until they mount another chicken or crow, aside from lab testing.”
Miss Lucille had “failed” the rooster test. However, later on, Allen arrived home to a mess of feathers in the backyard, an unusual event because female chickens dont usually molt until around 18 months. She also started exhibiting more aggressive behavior.
“She began acting more temperamental, but I attributed that to her molting, as it can be quite uncomfortable for chickens,” she says. “I was worried about her health.”
Although strange things were certainly afoot in Miss Lucilles world, none of them were health-threatening. When her feathers grew back, they were pointed saddle feathers, signaling a transition to an adult male chicken. Her hackles and tail feathers had also undergone some major changes.
“She went from being your typical hen to a rooster with beautiful, long tail feathers and pointy hackles. Her gait changed, and she was definitely at the top of the pecking order,” Allen says.
Further consultation advised a wait-and-see approach. One farmer told her, “Just because she now looked like a rooster didnt mean she was one. I needed to wait until she crowed or mounted one of the hens.”
Ironically, Miss Lucille became more mellow and friendly. “But then her comb kept getting bigger and redder. For every indicator she might still be a she, there was another for her being a he,” she says.
Finally, the irrefutable proof came at around 5 months of age: The rooster literally crowed. “Every day the crow grew louder and stronger. It was official that Miss Lucille was now Mr. Lucille,” Allen says.
“And to his credit, he assumed the role wonderfully. If the girls were low on water, hed crow and let me know to get on it. Hed lead the charge up to roost at night. Hed wake us up with his song early each morning.”
Why People Hate Male Chickens
FAQ
What is a male chicken called?
Male chickens are known as Roosters. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, adult male chickens over one year old are known as cocks whereas in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, they are more commonly called roosters. Also, the young male chickens are known as cockerel in the UK and Ireland. So, Rooster is a male fowl.
Is a chicken a female or a male?
Chickens are not a sex, they are a type of bird. If all chickens were females, there would be no more chickens since they couldn’t produce any more. To make it easier to describe them, we call female chickens hens or pullets and male chickens are called cocks, cockerels or roosters, but they are all chickens.
Do we eat male chickens?
Yes, we can eat male chickens just like hens. They almost have the same nutrition value and are safe to eat. It is not written anywhere that people should not eat roosters. You may never have heard of people consuming roosters. However, the fact is that several people enjoy this meat and even prefer it to hen meat.
What do you called a young male chicken?
A young male chicken is called a Cockerel. This is term typically given to a male chicken that is less than a year old. After a year, or when they mature and start mating they become roosters. The world of chickens can get a little confusing at times as they are lots of different terms, names, and terminology to learn.
What do you call a male chicken?
A male chicken is called a rooster, and a younger male chicken is called a cockerel. Other terms for male chickens include cock and, if castrated, capon.
Are all male chickens roosters?
No, not all male chickens are roosters; “chicken” is the general term for the species, while “rooster” specifically refers to an adult male chicken, with young males being called cockerels. All roosters are chickens, but only adult males are called roosters; young males are cockerels, and the female counterpart is a hen.
What do we call female chickens?
A sexually mature, egg-laying adult female chicken is called a hen. A young female chicken that has not yet started laying eggs is called a pullet. The general term for any chicken, regardless of age or sex, is also chicken.
What is the male and female form of a chicken?
Answer : The female chicken is a hen whereas the male chicken is a rooster.