poule

Poule is the French term for an adult female chicken, a member of Gallus gallus domesticus. In common usage, it designates the female of the species and contrasts with coq, the adult male, and poussin, the young chick. The word is used in farming and culinary contexts and can appear in phrases such as poule pondeuse, meaning a laying hen.

Etymology: The term poule derives from Old French poule, which itself comes from Latin pullus meaning chick or young animal. Over time, the meaning shifted to denote a mature hen in French.

Biology and lifecycle: Hens reach reproductive maturity around five to six months, depending on breed, and begin laying eggs. They may lay regularly for several years, though productivity declines with age. A laying hen is often referred to as une poule pondeuse. In farming, hens are kept in a poulailler, or henhouse, equipped with nest boxes and perches to support egg production and roosting.

Farming and cuisine: Poules are kept for eggs or meat, and their care is part of broader poultry farming (volaille). In culinary usage, the meat of a chicken is usually called poulet, while poule refers more to the animal itself, particularly in contexts that emphasize age, origin, or live status. Breeds range from dual-purpose lines suitable for both eggs and meat to specialized laying or meat-focused strains.

See also: poulailler, coq, poulet, poussinh, poule pondeuse.