Term

Definition

Air Cell

The empty space between the white and shell at the large end of the egg

Albumen 

Also known as egg white. Albumen accounts for most of an egg's liquid weight, about 67%. It contains more than half the egg's total protein, niacin, riboflavin, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium and sulfur

Avidin 

A protein found in small amounts (about .05%) in egg albumen. Avidin is inactivated by heat

Bantams

Miniature chicken breed

Banty

Refering to a bantam hen

Beak

The mouth or hard protrusion on the front of the bird’s 2 parts, upper and lower

Beard

The cluster of feathers (usually associated with muffs) found under the beak of many breeds: Araucana, Faverolle, Houdan

Biddy

Referring to a hen

Blood Spots 

Also called meat spots. Occasionally found on an egg yolk. Contrary to popular opinion, these tiny spots do not indicate a fertilized egg. Rather, they are caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the yolk surface during formation of the egg or by a similar accident in the wall of the oviduct. Less than 1% of all eggs produced have blood spots

Bloom

The moist coating that protects the freshly laid egg, it dries so quickly it is hard to see

Broodiness (or Setting) **

A hen that will incubate and raise her chicks

Candle

Examining the contents of an egg using a very bright light, to determine if fertile

Cockerel 

A young male, less than 1 year old

Cholesterol 

One Large egg contains 213 mg cholesterol

Debeak

The process of removing part of the upper portion of the chicks beak to stop cannibalism

Double Yoked Egg

Formed by two ova from the ovary at the same time. Some records of 3 yolks in one egg. Also an egg within a egg.

Droppings

Chicken manure

Dub

To remove or trim down the comb, usually done on Game Roosters when showing

Egg Tooth

A horny spot on the chicks upper beak that assists when he pips through the shell

Equinox 

Either of the two times each year when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length everywhere. During the spring (vernal) equinox (about March 21), it is said that an egg will stand on its small end. Although some people have reported success, it is not known whether such results were due to the equinox or to the peculiarities of that particular egg. Others insist that some eggs will stand on their small ends at any time of the year.

Fertile Eggs 

Eggs which can be incubated and developed into chicks. Fertile eggs are not more nutritious than non-fertile eggs, do not keep as well as non-fertile eggs and are more expensive to produce. Fertile eggs may contain a small amount of male hormone, but there are no known advantages

Formation

A hen requires about 24 to 26 hours to produce an egg. Thirty minutes later, she starts all over again

Freshness 

How recently an egg was laid has a bearing on its freshness but is only one of many factors. The temperature at which it is held, the humidity and the handling all play their part. These variables are so important that an egg one week old, held under ideal conditions, can be fresher than an egg left at room temperature for one day. The ideal conditions are temperatures that don't go above 40°F. (4°C.), with a relative humidity of 70 to 80%

Frizzle

Curling feathers rather than flat, rather like a chicken with a perm.

Gizzard

The organ in the chicken that grinds up the whole grains and food a chicken eats

Grading  

Classification determined by interior and exterior quality and designated by letters AA, A and B. In many egg packing plants, the USDA provides a grading service for shell eggs. Its official grade shield certifies that the eggs have been graded under federal supervision according to USDA standards and regulations. The grading service is not mandatory

Hatchability

The percentage of fertilized eggs that actually hatch when artificially incubated

Hen 

A female chicken, greater than 1 year old

Litter

The bedding used

Mite

A nasty critter, very tiny, a parasite this lives on poultry

Muff

The feathers (always found in association with a beard) sticking out from both sides of the face under the beak of such breeds as Ameraucana, Faverolle, and Houdan; also called "whiskers."

Nematode

A Roundworm

Nest Egg 

A natural or artificial egg placed in a nest to encourage a hen to lay there rather than in some secluded hiding place

Organic Eggs 

Eggs from hens fed rations having ingredients that were grown without pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or commercial fertilizers. No commercial laying hen rations ever contain hormones. Due to higher production costs and lower volume per farm, organic eggs are more expensive than eggs from hens fed conventional feed. The nutrient content of eggs is not affected by whether or not the ration is organic

Oviduct 

The organ in the hen which accepts the yolk after ovulation, where the egg is completed

Oviposition 

Laying of the hen's egg

Ovulation 

Release of the egg yolk from the hen's ovary

Pullet

Young female chicken, less than 1 year old

Rooster

Adult male chicken, greater than 1 year old. A cockerel or pullet, usually weighing 4 to 6 pounds, suitable for cooking whole in the oven

Soft Shelled Eggs

Being laid prematurely before secretion of shell in the uterus or some physiological disturbance in the laying hen. More prevalent in the springtime heavy laying season

Spurs

Sharp nails grown on Roosters shanks, occasionally a hen will grow spurs

Vent

The outside opening of the hen, through which the egg and droppings are expelled, they do come from separate channels 

Wattles

The two red or purple flaps that hang from under the chickens beak

Whiskers

See Muffs

Yolk

The yolk or yellow portion makes up about 33% of the liquid weight of the egg. It contains all of the fat in the egg and a little less than half of the protein