Poultry Judging Practice Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The term that typically refers to a young chicken of either sex, usually aged around 3 to 5 months, is a "Roaster." This term is commonly used in the poultry industry to classify chickens that are raised specifically for meat production and typically weights around 3 to 5 pounds. Roasters are larger chickens that are generally older than pullets or cockerels but not yet fully mature.

In contrast, a capon refers to a castrated male chicken, usually raised for meat and known for its tenderness. A pullet is specifically a young female chicken, usually less than one year old, and is often kept for egg production. A cockerel refers specifically to a young male chicken, typically under one year of age. Therefore, while pullet and cockerel are age-specific designations based on sex, "roaster" encompasses both sexes and implies a stage of growth particularly suited for meat production.