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.
Cockerel
A young male fowl.
Cock
A male fowl.
Clutch
A group of eggs laid in a nest for a hen to sit on.
Clucky (Broody)
Term used to describe a hen who sits on eggs to hatch them.
Cloaca
The rear orifice of the hen, common to the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts – commonly called the vent.
Chick Starter
Common name for chick feed.
Chalazae
Pronounced ka-lazy Two white cords attached to the yolk to hold the yolk in the centre of the albumen.
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.
Broody
Term used to describe a hen who sits on eggs to hatch them.
Brooder
A heated box to keep newly-hatched chicks warm.
Broiler
Chicken grown for meat.
Battery Farming
The commercial practice of confining hens to cages and controlling conditions eg. feeding rates, lighting and temperatures, to optimise egg production.
Bantam
A miniature variety of a standard breed of fowl.
Air Sac
An air space in the large (blunt) end of the egg between the two membranes.