chicks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "chicks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to baby birds, or sometimes young animals or children. Example sentence: I always love to watch the chicks in the nest so cutely hopping around.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All sides agreed that diversionary feeding (scattering dead chicks on the moorlands – room service for harriers) was a good way to reduce nesting hen harriers' predation of grouse.

The Guardian

Over the summer, under the gaze of their guardians, the harriers raised nine chicks, four of which were named by local schoolchildren: Sky, Hope, Highlander and Burt.

The Guardian

Brood management would guarantee that if more than one hen harrier nested in any 10km/sq area of grouse moor, government scientists would remove additional nests, raise the chicks in captivity and release the young birds into lowland areas.

The Guardian

RSPB negotiators expressed their fears about the long-term implications: if nests of one of the rarest breeding birds in England were removed and the chicks reared in captivity, which rare species would landowners want to control next?

The Guardian

Seeing that gull chicks pecked at the yellow-orange dot on their parent's beak to make the parent regurgitate food for them, Tinbergen presented the chicks with even bigger yellow-orange dots.

The Guardian - Tech

"There have been two hen harrier nesting attempts on or adjacent to grouse moors this spring but, disappointingly, neither have resulted in chicks hatching.

The Guardian

It is 40 years since a revolutionary reintroduction programme began to return the white-tailed eagle, also known as the sea eagle, to the Scottish Highlands; 30 years since the first chicks fledged; and this year, the number of nesting pairs will exceed 100 for the first time.

The Guardian

The birds are hatching chicks, vulnerable to late snow, and then he gets an early phone call.

The Guardian

In 2013, there were just two harrier nests on Langholm Moor in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland (an experimental site where harriers are protected) but in 2014, 10 nests produced 47 fledged hen harrier chicks on the same 119km/sq site.

The Guardian

Getting glue and glitter everywhere – and filling your classroom with chicks and bunnies – is a staple of the season.

The Guardian

They don't deal in eggs at Sheepdrove, so they buy in day-old chicks, at which stage they are not organic - there isn't yet the supply of organic chicks available in this country - but, with the Soil Association's blessing, they will become organic by the time they leave the farm, plucked, trussed and packed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "chicks" as a slang term for people in formal writing.

Common error

Be careful not to use "chicks" in professional or academic writing when referring to people, as it can be perceived as disrespectful or informal. Opt for more neutral terms like "young people" or "individuals".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chicks" is as a plural noun. It typically refers to the offspring of birds, especially chickens. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples of "chicks" referring to young birds in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chicks" functions primarily as a plural noun denoting young birds, particularly chickens. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, it's advisable to use more formal terminology in academic or professional writing. Common related terms include "baby birds", "fledglings", and "nestlings". Be mindful of avoiding slang usages in formal contexts to maintain professionalism. The numerous examples available through Ludwig offer further insights into appropriate and varied applications of "chicks".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baby birds

Focuses specifically on the avian aspect, removing the potential ambiguity of "chicks".

young birds

A more general term, suitable for various bird species.

young poultry

More formal and specific to domesticated birds.

fledglings

Refers to young birds that have recently developed their flight feathers.

young fowl

A broader term including various bird species, often used in agricultural contexts.

brood

Emphasizes the group of young birds hatched at the same time.

nestlings

Specifically refers to birds that are still in the nest.

pullets

Specifically refers to young female chickens.

hatchlings

Refers to newly hatched birds.

newly hatched birds

Highlights the recent emergence from the egg.

FAQs

How can I use "chicks" in a sentence?

"Chicks" is often used to refer to baby birds, as in "The hen protected her "chicks" from the cold."

What are some alternatives to using "chicks" when referring to baby birds?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "baby birds", "fledglings", or "nestlings".

Is it appropriate to use "chicks" to refer to young people?

While "chicks" can be used informally to refer to young people, especially women, it's generally best to avoid this usage in formal or professional settings as it can be considered disrespectful.

What is the difference between "chicks" and "hens"?

"Chicks" refers to baby birds or young chickens, while "hens" refers to adult female chickens.