What term is used for a chicken that is raised primarily for egg production?

The term used for a chicken that is raised primarily for egg production is a layer. Layers are specifically bred and managed to produce a large quantity of eggs efficiently. They typically have traits such as higher egg-laying capacity, specific feed conversion rates, and overall health that favor egg production over growth.

In contrast, broilers are chickens raised primarily for meat production and exhibit different growth characteristics. A rooster refers to an adult male chicken, which is not involved in egg production but rather in mating with hens. While the term hen refers to a female chicken, it is more general and does not specifically indicate that the hen is raised for egg production—the distinction of "layer" clarifies that the primary purpose is egg laying. Hence, identifying layers as those chickens raised for egg production aligns with the industry terminology and practices.