About chickens vs chooks...

[josham]

BOR-R-R-K book-book-book, BOR-R-R-R-K book-book-book-book.... (That's my interpretation of chook language for "hi there")

Wow, this sure is one popular spot, I see. Guess it's not surprising, so many people are into chooks. Apparently there are over 24 billion of them in the world, or more than 3 for every person. I've got 4 of 'em myself, but wouldn't have a clue what breed they are or anything, bit of a mixture of everything I'd say, just mangy old scavenging backyard chooks, don't hardly lay any eggs, I'm thinking of giving 'em the chop...

Anyways, I recently discovered that Americans, maybe even Brits, don't call them chooks. Seems it's mainly an Aussie thing. Well, I'm on a mission to get the name "chooks" popularised throughout the English-speaking world. Why? Because it's such a great name for them! I mean, it seems linguistically impoverished to me, not to be able to call them chooks. It's so apt! When you call them, you go: "he-e-e-ere, chook-chook-chook-chook!" It just suits them down to the ground! They're chooks! The name just fits!

Well, best for now,
B-O-O-ORK book-book... CHOOK!

 

[Michael OShay]

G'day, and welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. I don't know if "chook" will ever replace "chicken" in the American English language, but it's definitely quicker and easier to say, just one syllable as opposed to two. If you want to post pics of your chooks, maybe we can identify the breeds for you (or at least confirm that they are a mix and not pure breeds). Good luck with your chooks.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I am an American and I call my birds "chooks"! I didn't realize it was an Aussie term till another internet friend told me it was. I use the term here though, and nobody knows what I am talking about

 

[Michael OShay]

I am an American and I call my birds "chooks"! I didn't realize it was an Aussie term till another internet friend told me it was. I use the term here though, and nobody knows what I am talking about

I know what chooks are, but you're the first American I've heard use the term (other than when talking to an Aussie). )

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Here..in south Carolina USA.....or on the internet to other American friends. Most people.....haven't the slightest clue about chickens. Then you try to educate them on male vs female.....pullet vs cockerel....... fertilized egg vs un-fertile egg

 

[happyhens1972]

I am a Brit, proud owner of 28 gorgeous chooks....and yes, we do refer to them as chooks but in an affectionate sense only rather than as a label....so if I was talking to a stranger about the delights of chicken keeping, I would refer to them as chickens but when talking to family and friends, they are my chooks.....a bit like referring to my children as my kids, I guess....it's a term of endearment.

 

[vehve]

I vote for the Finnish "Kana" instead. You can easily call them by going "kanakanakanakana", and they come running to their coop immediately! (There might have been some conditioning to this involved though, I don't guarantee that it works.)

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I have heard a few people call hens "biddies". Not sure what continent that comes from.

Of course any rooster you name after food has his destiny all planned out for him.

This is the place to be when you own poultry! Make yourself at home here and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Funny, when my German relatives call my chickens they say hennahennahenna, when I call them I say chickchickchick, seems as long as you are holding the treat bucket the chickens apparently understand multiple languages......

 

[N F C]

Hello

and Welcome To BYC! Funny, when my German relatives call my chickens they say hennahennahenna, when I call them I say chickchickchick, seems as long as you are holding the treat bucket the chickens apparently understand multiple languages......

Yep, the language of "food" works!