The hen is the female of the rooster which lays eggs. The deposition lasts about a little over a year (with an average of about 250 eggs per year), after which the bird is slaughtered and marketed. Its weight is usually around 2-3 kilos. An excellent broth is obtained from a well-fleshed hen, with evenly distributed fats and a weight not exceeding 2 kilos.

Besides being boiled, the hen also lends itself to important preparations.