Hen vs Chicken: Understanding the Differences and Similarities
– There are many key differences between a hen and a chicken.
– Not all chickens lay eggs.
– Hens are always female, while chickens can be male or female.
– Some farmers consider a female chicken to be a hen once she has laid her first egg, which can happen anywhere from 8 months to 2 years of age.
– Some people think a hen reaches maturity at one year of age, regardless of the breed.
– Hens are used for breeding and egg laying, while chickens are used for meat and egg laying.
– Hens are smaller than most chickens.
– Hens have less likely to have waddles or combs on their heads.
– Hens are responsible for laying fertilized eggs.
– Chickens bred for meat production are usually larger than hens.