Poultry vs. Chicken — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023
Poultry refers to all domesticated birds raised for meat or eggs, whereas chicken specifically denotes a type of poultry.
Difference Between Poultry and Chicken
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Poultry encompasses a broad category of domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and quail, which are kept by humans for their eggs, meat, or feathers. Chickens are a subset of poultry and are the most common type worldwide, primarily raised for their meat and eggs. While all chickens are poultry, not all poultry can be classified as chickens, distinguishing the terms in scope.
The term poultry is derived from the Old French word 'pouletrie', which is related to 'poulet', meaning domestic fowl. Chicken, on the other hand, comes from the Old English 'cicen' or 'cyw', specifically referring to the bird which is a common sight in farmyards. Poultry serves as a categorical term in the agricultural industry, whereas chicken pinpoints a specific species within this category.
In culinary contexts, poultry dishes may include a variety of birds like duck or turkey, providing diverse flavors and textures. Chicken dishes, conversely, focus solely on the culinary use of chickens, which are versatile and popular worldwide. The culinary uses of both terms reflect their agricultural origins, with poultry offering a wider range of gastronomic options.
Legislation and agricultural standards often use the term poultry to set regulations and guidelines that cover a range of birds. Chicken-specific laws and standards might address issues unique to the breeding, housing, and processing of chickens. Such legal distinctions ensure that both terms are well defined and regulated according to their specific characteristics and needs.
Poultry farming involves diverse practices to accommodate the different types of birds under its umbrella, including varying housing, feeding, and care requirements. Chicken farming, while falling under the broader category of poultry farming, has practices tailored to the species, such as selective breeding for egg-laying or meat production. These differing agricultural practices underscore the distinctions between poultry as a category and chickens as a particular member of that category.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Poultry includes birds like chickens, ducks, turkeys.
Chicken is a type of poultry, a bird species.
Types
Comprises various species.
Refers to a single species.
Purpose
Raised for meat, eggs, or feathers.
Primarily for meat and eggs.
Term Origin
From Old French 'pouletrie'.
From Old English 'cicen' or 'cyw'.
Farming Practices
Varies by bird type.
Specific to chicken species.
Compare with Definitions
Poultry
Domestic fowl reared for food or profit.
The farm's poultry are a mix of ducks and chickens.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat.
We have chicken every Sunday for dinner.
Poultry
Ornamental or show birds bred by enthusiasts.
The fair's poultry competition was won by a stunning Silkie chicken.
Chicken
The meat from this bird used as food.
Chicken is her favorite protein for stir-fry dishes.
Poultry
A category of avian livestock in agriculture.
The new regulations affect all poultry, including turkeys and geese.
Chicken
A young bird, particularly a domestic fowl.
The chicks are the newest addition to our chicken flock.
Poultry
Birds kept by humans for their eggs, meat, or feathers.
Our poultry produce enough eggs to support the local market.
Chicken
A type of bird that is often a symbol of cowardice.
He called me a chicken when I wouldn't go on the roller coaster.
Poultry
Poultry () are domesticated birds kept by humans for their eggs, their meat or their feathers. These birds are most typically members of the superorder Galloanserae (fowl), especially the order Galliformes (which includes chickens, quails, and turkeys).
Chicken
The chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), a subspecies of the red junglefowl, is a type of domesticated fowl, originally from Southeastern Asia. Rooster or cock is a term for an adult male bird, and younger male may be called a cockerel.
Poultry
Domestic fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
Chicken
A domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one
Rationing was still in force and most people kept chickens
Poultry
Domesticated fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese, raised for meat or eggs.
Chicken
A game in which the first person to lose their nerve and withdraw from a dangerous situation is the loser
He was killed by a car after he lay in the road playing chicken
Poultry
Domestic fowl (e.g. chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese) raised for food (either meat or eggs).
A poultry farmer
Chicken
Cowardly
I was too chicken to go to court
Poultry
The meat from a domestic fowl.
The poultry counter
Chicken
Withdraw from or fail in something through lack of nerve
The referee chickened out of giving a penalty
Poultry
Domestic fowls reared for the table, or for their eggs or feathers, such as cocks and hens, capons, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
Poultry
A domesticated gallinaceous bird though to be descended from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Poultry
Flesh of chickens or turkeys or ducks or geese raised for food
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Poultry
The flesh of domestic fowl used as food.
She prefers poultry over red meat for dietary reasons.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
Chicken
A coward.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Chicken
The game of dare.
Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Chicken
Plural of chick
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Chicken
Easily frightened
Chicken
A game in which the first person to yield is deemed cowardly.
They played chicken on their bikes until one swerved away.
Common Curiosities
Can the term poultry be used to refer to just chickens?
No, poultry refers to a category of birds, not just chickens.
Are the farming practices for poultry and chickens the same?
Farming practices vary among different types of poultry and are specific for chickens.
Is chicken considered poultry?
Yes, chicken is a type of poultry.
Do the terms poultry and chicken have the same origin?
No, poultry comes from Old French, while chicken comes from Old English.
Can you give an example of a bird that is poultry but not a chicken?
A turkey is an example of poultry that is not a chicken.
Are there different breeds within poultry and chickens?
Yes, there are many breeds within the category of poultry, and numerous breeds of chickens.
What defines poultry?
Poultry refers to domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese raised for their meat, eggs, or feathers.
Are there any poultry birds that cannot be eaten?
Most poultry birds are edible, but some may be kept for purposes other than consumption.
Is chicken healthier than other poultry?
Health benefits vary; chicken is lean, but other poultry can also be healthy depending on preparation.
How does egg production differ between poultry and chickens?
Chickens are the main egg producers, but other poultry like ducks also lay eggs.
Are all poultry birds used for meat and egg production?
While most are, some are also kept for ornamental purposes or feathers.
What is the most common type of poultry?
Chickens are the most common and widely raised type of poultry.
Is there a taste difference between poultry and chicken?
Yes, as poultry includes various birds, the taste can vary, while chicken has a specific flavor.
Why are chickens more popular than other poultry?
Chickens are versatile, have a mild flavor, and are easy to farm, making them globally popular.
Do chickens and other poultry require different care?
Yes, each type of poultry has specific care and habitat needs, with chickens often requiring less space.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
