What Is a Male Chicken Called?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 25, 2020

A male chicken is called a rooster. Roosters under 1 year old are often referred to as a cockerel, while those over 1 year old are called cocks.

A capon is a male chicken that has been castrated. This is done to make the bird grow faster and have more fat. They are raised for the sole purpose of being slaughtered for their tender meat. Cocks are raised solely for reproduction purposes. One rooster is required for every 15 hens if the goal is to have fertilized eggs to continue the flock. If the purpose of the flock is eggs for eating, no roosters are required.