brood hen
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A domestic hen ready to brood: A female chicken that is physiologically prepared or inclined to sit on and incubate eggs.
Usage
- The term "brood hen" specifically refers to the state or condition of a hen. It describes a hen that is exhibiting or is ready to exhibit brooding behavior, which involves sitting on a clutch of eggs to keep them warm for hatching.
Examples
- Noun:
- We need to separate the brood hen from the rest of the flock so she can sit on her eggs in peace.
- The farmer identified the brood hen by her constant presence in the nesting box and her puffed-up feathers.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in poultry farming and animal husbandry contexts to manage breeding. A "brood hen" is a natural incubator, as opposed to using an artificial incubating machine.
Variants and Related Words
- Brood (verb): To sit on eggs to incubate them.
- The hen will brood for about 21 days until the chicks hatch.
- Broody (adjective): Describing a hen that is in the state of wanting to brood.
- That broody hen hasn't left the nest all day.
- Broodiness (noun): The condition of being broody.
- The broodiness of the hen is a natural instinct.
Synonyms
- Setting hen: A hen that is sitting on eggs.
- Broody hen: A hen inclined to brood (often used interchangeably with "brood hen").
Notes on Meaning
- The term "brood hen" is a compound noun. Its core meaning is inseparable from the concept of incubation. It does not refer to a hen that is simply laying eggs, but specifically to one that is committed to the process of hatching them.
Noun
- a domestic hen ready to brood