Hen

hen
noun [Old English henn, feminine of hana — cock]

1. An adult female chicken, especially one kept for laying eggs.
     A symbol of domesticity, fertility, and caretaking in many agrarian and cultural traditions.
     e.g., The hen clucked softly as her chicks gathered beneath her.

2. (By extension) A female bird of any species.
     e.g., A hen pheasant emerged from the tall grass.

3. (Colloquial) A woman, often used in rural or endearing contexts, and sometimes in compounds such as hen party (a social gathering for women).
     e.g., The hens gathered in the kitchen to share the latest news.