Glossary Of Terms
A
Air Sac - An air space in the large (blunt) end of the egg between the two membranes.
B
Bantam - A miniature variety of a standard breed of fowl.
Battery Farming - The commercial practice of confining hens to cages and controlling conditions eg. feeding rates, lighting and temperatures, to optimise egg production.
Broiler - Chicken grown for meat.
Brooder - A heated box to keep newly-hatched chicks warm.
Broody - Term used to describe a hen who sits on eggs to hatch them.
C
Candling - A method of observing the embryo development in eggs. A bright light, normally a torch, is placed against the large end of the egg to highlight the embryo inside.
Chalazae - Pronounced ka-lazy Two white cords attached to the yolk to hold the yolk in the centre of the albumen.
Chick Starter - Common name for chick feed.
Cloaca - The rear orifice of the hen, common to the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts - commonly called the vent.
Clucky (Broody) - Term used to describe a hen who sits on eggs to hatch them.
Clutch - A group of eggs laid in a nest for a hen to sit on.
Cock - A male fowl.
Cockerel - A young male fowl.
Comb - A decorative growth on the top of the head, mostly larger on males. There are a variety of shapes eg. Single, Pea, and Rose combed.
Crop - An enlargement of the gullet used to hold food until it is passed for digestion. The crop is noticeable in the front of the chest after the fowl has eaten.
Crumble - Common name for chick feed (finely crumbled).
D
Deep Litter Farming - A method of housing hens in large sheds. The hens are on beds of dry litter eg. sawdust or rice hulls.
Down - Soft hair-like covering on young chicks before the feathers develop.
Dust Bath - Chickens are often seen fluffing dry dirt onto their feathers as a means of mite and lice control.
E
Egg Tooth - Small bump on the top tip of the chicken's beak used to break away the shell at hatching time.
Embryo - The formation of the chicken in the egg up to hatching time.
F
Free Range Farming - Farming eggs by allowing the hens to range freely in paddocks.
H
Hackle - Feathers surrounding the neck.
Hen - A mature female hen.
Humidity - The moisture in the air.
Hygrometer - Instrument used to measure Relative Humidity. Usually Wet & Dry Bulb thermometers although sometimes electronic
I
Incubation - The process of hatching eggs.
Incubator - Equipment used to maintain suitable conditions for hatching eggs. Basically an insulated box with controls for Temperature, Ventilation and Humidity.
M
Mareks Disease - A virus mainly affecting young chicks/birds. Once contracted it is fatal. In large flocks chicks are vaccinated as day olds. In small flocks it is not practical.
Moult - The annual loss and regrowth of a chicken's feathers. During the moult which can last up to 3 months, the hens will stop laying.
P
Parasites - Parasites are easily picked up in flocks. The most common are red mites, lice and in some areas fleas. Proprietary sprays or natural products eg. Derris Dust can be purchased to treat them.
Parsons Nose (Popes Nose) - A fleshy protrusion at the back of the fowl where the tail feathers grow from. It houses an oil gland which keeps the feathers in good condition. Pipping The act of breaking out of the shell at hatching. The chick breaks the shell by pushing it out with its 'egg tooth.' This may take from 1 hour up to 24 hours.
Point of Lay - A term used to describe hens sold just prior to commencing laying (approx 20 weeks old).
Poultry - A general name to describe all domestic birds, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys etc.
Pullet - A young female less than 12 months old.
R
Relative Humidity - The measurement of moisture in the air.
Rooster - A mature male fowl.
S
Scaly Leg - Condition caused by a small parasitic mite burrowing under the scales on the leg.
Setting - Preparing and placing eggs in an incubator or under a hen.
Silkie - Breed of chicken originally from China.
T
Thermostat - A Mechanical or Electronic unit used to control temperature in an incubator.
V
Vent - The rear orifice of a hen
W
Wattles - Soft flesh hanging from the throat of many fowls.
Y
Yolk Sac - Unused yolk that is drawn into the chick via the navel just before hatching.