Pullet vs. Hen: What's the Difference?
Edited by Jennifer Bryant · Poultry breeder, Animal Science graduate, and Poultry Nerds Podcast co-host.
In traditional age-based terminology, a pullet is a young female chicken, usually under a year old. A hen is a female chicken that's a year or older. Same bird, different stage of life, kind of like "girl" and "woman." Some sellers use "pullet" for a female that hasn't started laying, so ask what they mean.
Chicken folks have a name for nearly every age and gender. Once you know them, breeder ads and feed store signs make a lot more sense.
The Chicken Name Cheat Sheet
Chick: A baby chicken, boy or girl.
Pullet: A young female, under about a year old.
Hen: An adult female, about a year or older.
Cockerel: A young male, under about a year old.
Rooster (or cock): An adult male, about a year or older.
Straight run: Chicks that haven't been sorted by sex. You get whatever hatches.
Do Pullets Lay Eggs?
Yes! Many pullets start laying around four to six months old, long before they're officially "hens" by the age-based definition. Breed, season, and individual development affect the timing. Their first eggs are often small, and sometimes a little odd. Egg size generally increases as they mature.
What Does "Point of Lay" Mean?
You might see "point of lay pullets" for sale. That means young females that are close to laying age. Ask the seller for their hatch date and whether they've started laying. They often cost more than chicks, but you skip the brooder and may get eggs sooner.
Why It Matters When Buying
Knowing the words helps you get what you want:
Want eggs soon? Look for point of lay pullets.
Want to raise babies? Buy chicks, and ask if they're sexed or straight run.
Don't want a rooster? Avoid straight run, and remember that even sexed chicks can include a surprise boy.
Ready to find pullets or hatching eggs? Browse breeders at Hatching Egg Directory.
