How to Choose Chicken Names for Your Backyard Flock
Choosing chicken names for a backyard flock can be a fun family activity, but sometimes we need a little inspiration to help us get going!
I’m sharing how I’ve brainstormed chicken names over the years and why so many people have a chicken named “Henrietta“!
Not all chicken keepers name their birds. Perhaps they have several flocks and too many to remember who’s who. Maybe naming a chicken makes them more of a pet and when the time comes to say goodbye-it’s more difficult?
I’ve raised chickens for decades and still name every single one of them. Why? I do love them like pets, and I love choosing chicken names.
My folks got me my very first chicken when I was around 7 or 8 years old. I named her “Layer” and thought that was such a clever name! Ha!
She did lay lots of eggs AND she used to sit on my handlebars while I rode my bike. Cool, right?
Nowadays I strive for a little more creativity in my chicken names and use a few different strategies to generate names for my hens. There’s no right or wrong way to choose chicken names, but hopefully these suggestions help you brainstorm some clever ones for your flock!
Most urban chicken keepers are not allowed to have roosters. Therefore this post is mainly about naming hens, no offense to the boys!
Flowers for Chicken Names
One of my favorite backyard chicken flocks was named completely after flowers. Daisy, Tulip and Marigold were such sweet girls!
If naming your chickens after flowers and plants appeals to you, check out this list for more suggestions.
Of course I love chicken names that are flowers or botanical in nature! I think my next flock will have to have a chicken named Ginger.
Television or Movie Characters for Chicken Names
One of my recent flocks consisted of five chickens, and they were all named after The Brady Bunch television series. Marsha, Jan, Cindy, Alice and Carol turned out to be a crazy bunch of hens that were always causing drama. Their names suited them, but maybe I should’ve considered Real Housewives or something!
You can find so many ideas for chicken names through our media sources. If you like tv and movie ideas, take a look at these.
There are so many television shows and movies to consider. This is making me want to go get more chickens just so I can name them!
I’m going to need a bigger coop, though! Need help with your own coop? Read Creating the Perfect Chicken Coop. I share my thoughts on building your own vs buying pre-built and what I love about my own Omlet Chicken Coop.
Vintage Names for Chickens
This a very popular way to choose chicken names and one of the reasons why so many people have a chicken named “Henrietta.” Yes- I did it, too. Henrietta also has the word “hen” in it which makes it one of the most commonly used chicken names!
That’s Henrietta below and Sparky is standing behind her.
These are some of my favorite vintage names for chickens.
I love these old fashioned names for chickens. They feel quaint and like the good ol’ days of a simpler era and lifestyle – perfect for backyard chicken owners.
Clever Chicken Names
Over the years I have jokingly named chickens with a clever twist in their name. For example, my French Copper Maran was named “Claw-dette” because her claws were feathered and well she was French-voilà!
I’m not the only one thinking up fun clever names for chickens. These made me chuckle (cackle?)…
Naming chickens can be rewarding and fun. I’ve definitely come a long way from naming a chicken “Layer!”
I hope these suggestions have sparked some great chicken names for you and your backyard flock. Have some interesting names of your own? Please leave a comment down below and share with all of us!
Looking for more tips and suggestions about raising chickens? Read The Truth about Raising Backyard Chickens: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start!
