Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3: Chickens
CHICKEN GLOSSARY
Candle or candling:
Taking an egg and holding it in front of a bright light in a dark
room to see the development of the embryo inside the egg
Cape:
The area of feathers between the shoulders and neck on a chicken
Capon:
A castrated rooster
Chalazae:
The two coils that hold the yolk in place inside of an egg
Chicks:
Baby chickens hatched from fertilized eggs
Clutch:
A group of eggs laid by a broody hen
Coccidiosis:
A protozoal infestation causing disease and sometimes death
Cock:
A male chicken after his first molt
Cockerel:
A male chicken under 12 months of age
Comb:
The fleshy piece of skin on top of a chicken's head. It helps to identify the
breed. It comes in a variety of shapes including single, pea, V-shaped, and rose.
Coop:
Housing for chickens; can be made of different material and customized to
fit the needs of your flock
Crest:
The feathers on top of a chicken's head
Crop:
Located inside the base of a chicken's neck, right before the gizzard. Food
passes through the crop where it is softened and then moves on to the gizzard.
Crumbles:
Food for birds, often broken up pellets, into medium size shapes for the
birds to eat
Cull:
Killing sick or unwanted birds in a humane fashion
Debeak:
Removing the tip of the beak from a bird. Often, it is done to birds raised
in close quarters in order to prevent them from pecking at each other.
