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Homescience

Hen vs Chicken: What’s the Difference?

Explore the differences between hens and chickens, from gender and appearance to egg production and meat quality.

Gurpreet Singh | September 25, 2025 / 16:56 IST
1/10
1. Gender Difference: Hens are female, responsible for laying eggs. The chickens can be male or female, including both hens and roosters. (Image: Canva)
1. Gender Difference: Hens are female, responsible for laying eggs, whereas the chickens can be male or female, including both hens and roosters. (Image: Canva)
2/10
2. Voice Differences: Hens cluck softly, especially when nesting. The chickens crow loudly to mark territory or alert the flock. (Image: Canva)
2. Voice Differences: Hens cluck softly, especially when nesting. The chickens crow loudly to mark territory or alert the flock. (Image: Canva)
3/10
3. Life Stages: Chickens include chicks, pullets and adults. In case of “hen”, they specifically refer to a mature female chicken. (Image: Canva)
3. Life Stages: Chickens include chicks, pullets and adults. In case of “hen”, they specifically refer to a mature female chicken. (Image: Canva)
4/10
4. Farm Purpose: Hens are primarily kept for egg production, whereas male chickens may be raised for meat or breeding. (Image: Canva)
4. Farm Purpose: Hens are primarily kept for egg production, whereas male chickens may be raised for meat or breeding. (Image: Canva)
5/10
5. Egg Laying ability: Hens lay eggs regularly, a defining feature. The male chickens, like roosters, do not produce eggs. (Image: Canva)
5. Egg Laying ability: Hens lay eggs regularly, a defining feature. The male chickens, like roosters, do not produce eggs. (Image: Canva)
6/10
6. Aggression Levels: Hens are usually docile and calm, while roosters can be territorial or aggressive towards other males. (Image: Canva)
6. Aggression Levels: Hens are usually docile and calm, while roosters can be territorial or aggressive towards other males. (Image: Canva)
7/10
7. Size and Appearance: Hens are generally smaller with calmer plumage. The roosters (male chickens) are larger with brighter feathers and more prominent combs. (Image: Canva)
7. Size and Appearance: Hens are generally smaller with calmer plumage. The roosters (male chickens) are larger with brighter feathers and more prominent combs. (Image: Canva)
8/10
8. Movement Style: Hens tend to scratch and peck close to the ground whereas, roosters often strut proudly with pronounced steps. (Image: Canva)
8. Movement Style: Hens tend to scratch and peck close to the ground whereas, roosters often strut proudly with pronounced steps. (Image: Canva)
9/10
9. Differences in Meat: Hen meat is firm and flavorful, best for slow cooking. The rooster meat is tougher and rich in taste. (Image: Canva)
9. Differences in Meat: Hen meat is firm and flavorful, best for slow cooking. The rooster meat is tougher and rich in taste. (Image: Canva)
10/10
10. Interaction with Humans: Hens are usually friendlier and easier to handle. But roosters can be wary or aggressive toward humans. (Image: Canva)
10. Interaction with Humans: Hens are usually friendlier and easier to handle. But roosters can be wary or aggressive toward humans. (Image: Canva)

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