Last updated: February 9, 2024
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What’s The Difference Between Chicken And Game Hen? (The Contrast)
Last updated: February 9, 2024
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According to the data of ComfyLiving, more than 21.9 million chickens are eaten by Americans each day. Therefore, America is one of the three countries that are large contributors to poultry besides China and Brazil.
Additionally, there are more consumers of chicken than other meats around the globe. The main reason behind this is that this type of meat grows faster, is less expensive, and has no cultural barriers like beef.
When we refer to the chicken, interestingly, there are more than 1.6k species of this poultry. The type of chicken you commonly eat is also known as a broiler.
So, let’s jump into it…
Differences Between Chicken and Game Hen
There are several differences between chicken and game hen.
- Game hens are immature when they’re slaughtered. While chickens that you normally eat are six to seven weeks older.
- Game hens have broader breasts and are heavier as compared to broilers.
- Another difference is that game hens are rich in nutrition.
In this article, I’m going to discuss both types of chickens in detail. Also, there will be a table differentiating the features of the two chicken types.
Chicken Vs. Game Hen
A game hen or Cornish game hen is also a chicken. Though, they’re different from other common hens. These hens are muscular and have broader breasts. Also, they’re slaughtered when they’re five weeks older. That’s why you’ll find them more tender.
For all the above reasons, they’re more expensive than other types of chicken.
Here’s a table that tells chicken and game hen apart.
| Features | Chicken | Game hen |
| Age when slaughtered | 6 – 7 weeks | Fewer than 5 weeks |
| Weight when slaughtered immature | 6.39 pounds | Between 1 and 2 pounds |
| Meat color | White | Fully white |
| Nutritional value | More fat and calories | Less fat and calories |
| Egg color | White | Brown |
| Life expectancy | Three to seven years | Three to five years |
| Number of eggs per year | Up to 250 eggs per year | 300 eggs per year |
| Physical features | Do not have broader breast | Heavy and muscular |
Different colored chicken eggs
When it comes to egg color types, you see various options. However, the most usual ones are white and brown.
You may wonder what determines the color of the eggs. Let me tell you that the color of the egg will be dependent on the color of the earlobe of the chickens.
Hens with white earlobes lay white eggs, while those with brown earlobes will lay brown eggs. Sometimes, the color of eggshells of the same breed differs.
Health Benefits
Another question that most people ask is which one is healthier. Irrespective of the shell color, they’re an affordable source of protein.
The health benefits of eggs are not tied to their breed but to the environment they live in. Research shows that the eggs of the chickens that took sunlight had three times more vitamin D than those of chickens that lived indoors.
Free-range chicken and normal chicken
The difference between free-range and normal chickens is whether they live without or within cages. The chickens that are kept in battery cages have no social life, no exposure to sunlight, and no space for walking and exercising.
Free-range chickens spend most of their day in sunlight roaming, scratching the grass, and pecking on insects. They have more social interaction.
According to the Certified Humane Program, the chickens should spend at least 6 hours of their day in the outdoor space.
What happens if you eat 5 eggs a day?
Eating five eggs a day can be harmful. The number of eggs a person can eat in a day entirely depends on their health condition. A research paper finds that eating two eggs daily for eleven weeks won’t increase your cholesterol level and won’t contribute to heart-related issues.
You should also keep a check on how much cholesterol you’re adding to your diet except eggs.
| Nutritional Value of a Raw Egg (medium) | |
| Calories | 63 |
| Total fat | 4.2 g |
| Sodium | 62.5 mg |
| Cholesterol | 163.7 mg |
| Potassium | 60.7 mg |
What is the difference between chicken alfredo and chicken fettuccine?
Fettuccine Alfredo pasta originates from Italy, though it has gained more popularity in the U.S. than in Rome. Alfredo is a sauce that is combined with fettuccine-shaped pasta.
There’s no compulsory condition for adding chicken to this pasta. So, there’s nothing such as chicken alfredo or chicken fettuccine. When it comes to the healthiest eating options, Fettuccine Alfredo creamy pasta is head of the line.
Final Thoughts
- Game hens, also called Cornish game hens, differ from common broilers.
- Game hens are slaughtered younger (under 5 weeks), resulting in tender meat.
- Game hens have broader breasts and are heavier, making them pricier.
- Game hens typically have less fat and fewer calories than chickens.
- Egg color is determined by the chicken’s earlobe color.
- Free-range chickens have better living conditions than caged ones.
- Consuming too many eggs daily can have health risks.
- Fettuccine Alfredo is a popular U.S. dish; chicken can be added to the sauce.
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