<P> In the UK and Ireland , adult male chickens over the age of one year are primarily known as cocks , whereas in the United States , Canada , Australia and New Zealand , they are more commonly called roosters . Males less than a year old are cockerels . Castrated roosters are called capons ( surgical and chemical castration are now illegal in some parts of the world ) . Females over a year old are known as hens , and younger females as pullets , although in the egg - laying industry , a pullet becomes a hen when she begins to lay eggs , at 16 to 20 weeks of age . In Australia and New Zealand ( also sometimes in Britain ) , there is a generic term chook / tʃ ʊk / to describe all ages and both sexes . The young are often called chicks . </P>
<P> In the UK and Ireland , adult male chickens over the age of one year are primarily known as cocks , whereas in the United States , Canada , Australia and New Zealand , they are more commonly called roosters . Males less than a year old are cockerels . Castrated roosters are called capons ( surgical and chemical castration are now illegal in some parts of the world ) . Females over a year old are known as hens , and younger females as pullets , although in the egg - laying industry , a pullet becomes a hen when she begins to lay eggs , at 16 to 20 weeks of age . In Australia and New Zealand ( also sometimes in Britain ) , there is a generic term chook / tʃ ʊk / to describe all ages and both sexes . The young are often called chicks . </P>
what is the name of a young chicken
what is the name of a young chicken
chicks
chicks