What is the term for a chicken that was developed to produce a large number of eggs?

The term "Layer" refers specifically to chickens that have been bred and raised to produce a high volume of eggs. Layers are typically characterized by their efficient egg-laying capacity, which is the result of selective breeding practices that focus on traits such as egg production, egg quality, and reproductive health. These chickens are usually utilized in commercial egg production and can lay a significant number of eggs over their lifetime, often exceeding 300 eggs per year.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different aspects of poultry. Broilers are chickens raised for meat production rather than egg laying, while roosters are male chickens that do not lay eggs but play a role in breeding. Chicks, on the other hand, are young chickens, typically referring to those still in the early stages of development, prior to either becoming layers or broilers. Thus, understanding the specific roles of each type helps clarify why "Layer" is the appropriate term for chickens developed for egg production.