chicken grammer question

[Angiebubs]

Can you help settle a "heated discussion"?
Can the word chicken be used as a plural? example "how many chicken are you going to get?" or would it be "how many chickens are you going to get?"
Im arguing that chicken can be plural...example "chicken coop"-you don't keep only one chicken in a coop...or if buying chicken=you dont say"Im going to buy chickens for dinner"?....

Anyone?

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

When referring to more than one chicken, the correct term to use is "chickens", i.e. "Save those scraps, we'll give them to the chickens." When in doubt, look at the name of the website "backyardchickens"

 

[BairleaFarm]

it can be plural. the examples your using. Talking about live birds its chickens

 

[Angiebubs]

Then why isn't it "Chickens coop?" Ive been searching the internet and appears there are many others arguing this one out as well.

 

[Criskin]

I agree with Iowa Roo Mom. Good examples for your side but it seems that most dwellings are referred to in the singular even for multiple inhabitants, i.e. a doll house, duck pond or a horse barn.

 

[Angiebubs]

BaileaFarm=thank you LOL these things bug me! And my better half is thinking this is hilarious and is teasing me unmercifully

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
The same reason you don't have too or more chickens. You have two or more chickens. See English language thread.

 

[welasharon]

Goat shed
Dog house
Duck pond
Bird house
Pickle jar
Potato chip bag
I have no clue why but it seems consistent.

 

[Nic&Chickies]

Well, I don't have a dictionary handy, but I am nearly certain that you do need the "s" to make it plural.

In chicken coop, "chicken" is used more as an adjective, as a coop of the chicken kind (I know, I know, what other kind is there, but that's beside the point I'm trying to work on here)

As far as "chicken" as a grocery product, we don't say beefs, or fishes, it's more of a categorical word.

Trying to explain it --the rules--is frustrating, because I am lucky enough to just naturally know how our English language works, but then, trying to convey it ... I get a little weak (maybe that's part of why I never became an English teacher). It is late, and my usual facility with language has escaped me, so I'll have to subscribe to this thread now, and see if anyone else can explain it better. I hope I helped, and didn't just tick you off or make it more complicated.

 

[Angiebubs]

Im thinking chicken is plural when used as an abstract noun?