What is a young female chicken called?

A young female chicken is referred to as a pullet. This term specifically describes a female chicken that is less than one year old, distinguishing it from other classifications within poultry. After reaching maturity, the pullet is known as a hen.

In contrast, a hen denotes a fully mature female chicken, generally over one year old. A cockerel is the term used for a young male chicken that has not yet matured into a rooster, and a gander refers to a male goose, which is unrelated to chickens at all. Understanding these classifications helps in managing poultry and their various stages of life.