hens

A hen is an adult female chicken, typically kept for egg production or meat. The term distinguishes the female from a rooster, the mature male, and from pullets, young female chickens. Hens may live in backyard flocks or commercial operations, where housing, nutrition, and management practices influence their behavior and welfare.

Reproduction and biology: Hens reach sexual maturity at roughly five to six months, with many breeds beginning to lay eggs in response to longer daylight hours. Each egg is formed through an ovulatory cycle; fertilization only occurs if a male rooster is present. Under favorable conditions, a laying hen can produce about one egg per day during peak season, though production declines with age, health, and season. Some hens become broodier and may incubate eggs, temporarily reducing or stopping production.

Diet, housing, and care: Hens are omnivorous and require a balanced diet with adequate protein and calcium for eggshell formation. Calcium sources such as oyster shell or limestone are commonly provided. Fresh water, vitamins, and minerals are essential. Housing ranges from small backyard coops to large commercial facilities and should include nest boxes, roosting perches, adequate space, and appropriate lighting and ventilation to support welfare and performance.

Welfare and management: Welfare considerations include stocking density, enrichment, lighting, and disease prevention. Some production systems confine hens in cages, though cage-free and free-range designs are increasingly adopted to address welfare concerns. Biosecurity, vaccination, and appropriate sanitation help reduce disease risk.

Varieties and uses: Egg color and shell texture vary by breed, with white- and brown-egg layers being common and some breeds producing tinted or blue eggs. Hens are the primary source of table eggs; meat production relies on meat-type chickens, though some dual-purpose breeds are raised for both eggs and meat.