pulcini

Pulcini are young chickens, the plural form of pulcino in Italian. The term is used to refer to newly hatched chicks or young Gallus gallus domesticus in general. In English, “chicks” is common; “pullets” denotes young females that will lay eggs, while “cockerels” describes young males.

Domestic chickens hatch after about 21 days of incubation. Newborn pulcini are covered in down, have limited mobility, and rely on warmth and nutrition provided by caregivers. Within days they begin to eat and drink; feather development proceeds over several weeks, and most reach sexual maturity around 16–22 weeks, depending on breed, with females becoming laying pullets and males developing into roosters.

Care and housing: Chicks are typically kept in a brooder with a heat source that creates a temperature gradient, broad-spectrum light, and protection from drafts. They require clean water, a high-protein starter feed (roughly 18–22% protein) for the first 6–8 weeks, and access to grit as needed. Housing should be well ventilated, dry, and spacious to prevent disease.

Uses: In farming, pulcini are produced for two main purposes: egg production and meat. Day-old chicks are sold to farmers; female chicks of commercial egg-laying lines are reared to become laying pullets, while males may be raised for meat or culled in some production systems. Welfare, biosecurity, and vaccination programs are integral to modern poultry management.