The most insidious of predators, although they are rare. The last large outbreak was in December of 1999 (in the weeks before "Y2K"), when some keepers lost entire flocks of birds to 2-Legged Predators.
A chicken breed that is 1/3 to 1/2 the size of a traditional ("heavy breed") chicken. There is a lot of breed overlap between bantam and regular sized chicken (i.e., bantam Barred Plymouth Rocks), but there are also bantam-only breeds. Also called "banties" for short.
A portable cage, usually 6 to 8 feet long and 2 or more feet wide, with covering or wire on all sides but the bottom. Chickens are put into this, allowing them to scratch for bugs and weeds (and their manure to drop into the soil or grass), while keeping them confined to a set area. Many people use chicken tractors to prepare their garden space, or to clean up after the garden is finished - in each instance by moving the t
ractor every couple of days until the entire area has been "treated". Also useful as chicken hospitals or nurseries for broodies.
chook(s)
Chicken(s); Australian in origin. Used in the US as a term of affection.
A group of eggs that have been laid. Usually found beneath a broody hen. The eggs in a clutch do not necessarily all come from the same hen. Hens will hatch out any eggs in a clutch.
The flesh on the top of a chicken's head. Besides the traditional Single comb (which resemble gloves in a way), there are also Pea and Rose combs. All three types are more pronounced in roosters.
Short for chicken feed, usually the "main course" type. Named because of the small, granular texture of the feed. Comes in formulas specifically for chicks, for started pullets and cockerels (also called "grower" formula), and for layers.
cull
To remove a bird from the
flock because of productivity, age, health, or personality issues. See also stew.
Archaic term for when the rooster mates with a hen. Probably originates with the fact that chicken sex is nasty, brutish, and short. See also mounting and jumping.
A meat bird butchered at young age (8 to 9 weeks in some breeds) so as to have a dressed weight of 3 to 4 pounds. This gives the bird the tenderest meat, as required when frying. See also roaster and stew.
My term for the erratic behavior shown by a hen at the bottom of the pecking order. Once the hen moves up in the hierarchy, the symptoms disappear - but are become visible in the new hen on the bottom rung.
margin of error
Built into nature, this is what allows chicks to hatch and grow into chickens, even if you don't follow the panic-inducing instructions given in books written by experts on the subject.
morning breath
My term (via Backyard Chickens Forum) for the blast of stale, chicken-scented air that hits you in the face when you open up your coop in the morning. The reason many keepers open their coop before they eat.
A generic term for a creature that may not directly threaten one's flock, but proves to be a nuisance by eating feed or eggs, or being a vector for disease. See also predator and target.
A meat bird butchered at young age (about 12 weeks in some breeds) so as to have a dressed weight of 8 to 9 pounds. Not as tender as a fryer, much more tender than an older bird suitable only for stew. See also roaster.
A chicken bred so
that the male and female chicks can be told apart by physical appearance as opposed to an intimate physical exam that only a highly paid professional can preform. There are Red Sex Links (also called Red Stars) and Black Sex Links (Black Stars).
A form of chicken feed made up of cracked corn and an assortment of whole grain seeds. If the seeds are not eaten, they may sprout and be eaten by the chickens later. Primarily used as a daily food supplement, not as the "main course." See crumble.
A hen that has feathered out but has not yet started to lay eggs. Many keepers prefer to buy started pullets to avoid what they see as the hassle of raising chicks or to quickly add potential layers to the flock.
Chicks that are sold without being sexed first, i.e., male and female mixed together. In theory, a straight run of chicks will give you 50% of each gender, but it doesn't usually work out that way.
Term of affection for a stray domestic animal (dog or cat) that could threaten one's flock. Dogs are the greatest problem. Cats may threaten chicks, but one that tries to tangle with a hen or roo will learn not to do it again.
