Hönan

Hönan (definite form of höna) is Swedish for the adult female chicken. It refers primarily to the domesticated chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, kept for egg production, meat, or as part of a farmyard. The male is called hane or tupp, and the juvenile chicken is kyckling.

Biology and reproduction: Hönan reaches sexual maturity around four to six months, depending on breed and conditions. Laying eggs is common in daylight; in commercial breeds, annual production can be high, while backyard hens may lay intermittently. Eggs are fertilized only if a rooster has mated; unfertilized eggs are laid in homes and farms. Some breeds exhibit broodiness, the tendency to sit on eggs; many modern lines are selected for reduced broodiness.

Husbandry: In agricultural settings, hens require shelter with ventilation, nesting boxes for laying, perches, and access to clean water and a balanced diet rich in calcium for shell quality. They are omnivorous, consuming grains, seeds, greens, and insects. Good welfare depends on space, enrichment, and protection from predators.

Nomenclature and ecology: Hönan distinguishes adult female from hane (rooster) and kyckling (young chicken). Hens contribute to egg production and, in some systems, meat production in dual-purpose breeds. They are social birds with a pecking order and exhibit behaviors such as dust bathing, foraging, and brooding in appropriate conditions.