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about Angus Acres in edible San Diego
Magazine
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Chicken Glossary |
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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.
Alektorophobia - fear of chickens (which you
will no longer have after reading this).
Bantam - (banty)- small chickens: not a
breed.
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.
Brooding - when a hen wants to sit on the
eggs she is broody.
Chalazae - two white cords on each side of a
yolk that keep the yolk properly positioned within
the egg white; singular: chalaza.
Cloaca - the chamber just inside the vent
where the digestive, reproductive, and excretory
tracts come together.
Clutch - a batch of eggs in a nest.
Cockerel - male chicken less than 1 year old.
Comb -part of the chicken: the fleshy
material on the top of their head.
Crop - a pouch at the base of a chicken's
neck that bulges after the bird has eaten.
Double Yoked Egg - is created when two ova
are released from the ovary at the same time. Seem
to be most common in earlier ages and in specific
breeds (Rhode Island Reds).
Droppings - chicken manure.
Flock - bunch of chickens.
Freshness - Freshness of an egg depends on
temperature and humidity factors. The ideal
conditions are temperatures that don't go above
40°F. (4°C.) and a relative humidity of 70 to 80%.
Gizzard - an organ that contains grit for
grinding up the grain and plant fiber a chicken
eats.
Grit - grinding agent used in digestion:
sometimes needs to be added to their diet if not
free range.
Hens - adult female chicken.
Perch - chickens wrapping their toes around a
branch or stick are said to be on a perch.
Pecking order - social ranking of a flock:
they figure it out by size and temperament. There
really is a pecking order! You will be able to tell
by watching their actions!
Pullet - female chicken less than 1 year old.
Molt (Moult) - annual process of feather loss
and re-growth.
Roost - where chickens return to each night:
their home.
Spurs - horny protrusions on legs of rooster.
Vent - where the egg comes out of the
chicken.
Wattles - dangly thing under the chickens
chin. |
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