female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
<noun.animal>
Hen \Hen\, n. [AS. henn, hen, h[ae]n; akin to D. hen, OHG. henna, G. henne, Icel. h?na, Dan. h["o]na; the fem. corresponding to AS. hana cock, D. haan, OHG. hano, G. hahn, Icel. hani, Dan. & Sw. hane. Prob. akin to L. canere to sing, and orig. meaning, a singer. Cf. {Chanticleer}.] (Zo["o]l.) The female of the domestic fowl; also, the female of grouse, pheasants, or any kind of birds; as, the heath hen; the gray hen.
Note: Used adjectively or in combination to indicate the female; as, hen canary, hen eagle, hen turkey, peahen.
{Hen clam}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A clam of the {Mactra}, and allied genera; the sea clam or surf clam. See {Surf clam}. (b) A California clam of the genus {Pachydesma}.
{Hen driver}. See {Hen harrier} (below).
{Hen harrier} (Zo["o]l.), a hawk ({Circus cyaneus}), found in Europe and America; -- called also {dove hawk}, {henharm}, {henharrow}, {hen driver}, and usually, in America, {marsh hawk}. See {Marsh hawk}.
{Hen hawk} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of large hawks which capture hens; esp., the American red-tailed hawk ({Buteo borealis}), the red-shouldered hawk ({Buteo lineatus}), and the goshawk.
Scientists also suspect that certain salmonella bacteria can be transmitted from an infected hen directly to the egg interior. While the extent of the problem is not known, the risk of illness remains small, according to the USDA.
It's also expensive in terms of feed needed to restore the hen to health.
There was a little actor in the callers as they crouched and rose, hands cupped around their mouths, imitating the sounds of a turkey in spring or an old hen calling an assembly of birds.
Each hen produces at least 40 eggs that hatch in incubators after 27 days.
Marxist comedian Jeremy Hardy prefers to perform at community arts centres: for him, the clubs have become a night out for hen parties and celebratory young professionals. Much of the humour is indeed escapist and whimsical.
Ultimately, the researchers say they want to find a way to maintain the hen's egg production without molting.
Fruits are indistinguishable from hen's eggs before they turn color from white to yellow."
May 30 Deseret News, Salt Lake City, on Energy Secretary James Watkins: Someone needs to take Energy Secretary James Watkins aside and explain the problems that arise when the fox guards the hen house.
They reason that molting occurs when the hen's reproductive system shuts down for a rejuvenating rest.
The nation's hen flock worked a little harder last month, but because of fewer birds the extra effort fell short of the year-ago production mark, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.
Most pigeons in Britain are kept on the "widowhood system." As soon as a hen and cock produce a pair of young, or squeakers, they're separated.
"We've got hailstones out here that are as big as hen's eggs. They are bigger than golf balls," he said.