What is the term for an unsexed male chicken usually under 10 months of age?

A capon is defined as an unsexed male chicken, and this designation typically applies to those animals that are under 10 months of age. The process of caponization involves the surgical removal of the testes, which alters the growth and development of the chicken, resulting in a more tender meat and a different flavor profile compared to a standard male chicken, also known as a rooster.

Understanding this term is important in discussions surrounding poultry farming and meat production, as capons are raised specifically for their desirable meat characteristics, making them a distinct category within the poultry industry. Other terms refer to different types of chickens or developmental stages; for instance, a rooster is a mature male chicken, a hen is a female chicken, and a chick refers to a young bird of either sex that has just hatched.