A young male chicken is referred to as a ______.

A young male chicken is referred to as a cockerel. This term specifically denotes a male chicken that is typically under one year of age. The distinction is important in aviculture and poultry management, as it helps in identifying the developmental stage of the bird.

The term “cock” is usually reserved for mature male chickens and “rooster” is also commonly used to describe adult males, but it can sometimes include younger males in casual use. A “pullet” refers to a young female chicken, which is critical to know when distinguishing between genders in poultry management and breeding contexts. Thus, cockerel is the most accurate term for a young male chicken.