The RBC Glossary

The definitive reference guide to big chicken terminology. Because even Really Big Chickens deserve precise language.

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Official RBC Big Chicken Glossary

As the world's leading authority on really big chickens, RBC (Really Big Chicken) has a responsibility to standardize the language used to discuss large poultry. This glossary represents the official, RBC-approved terminology for discussing big chickens in professional, academic, and casual settings.

A
Absolute Unit
/ˈab.sə.luːt ˈjuː.nɪt/
A chicken of such exceptional size that it can only be described using this phrase. Technical RBC classification for chickens exceeding 15 lbs. First documented usage in reference to a Brahma rooster named Dave.
"In awe at the size of this lad. Absolute unit." — Anonymous RBC field inspector
Agrarian Enormity
/əˈɡreə.ri.ən ɪˈnɔːr.mɪ.ti/
The formal academic term for a really big chicken, used primarily in RBC scholarly publications and grant applications. Preferred over "big chicken" in peer-reviewed contexts.
B
Big Chicken Energy (BCE)
/bɪɡ ˈtʃɪk.ɪn ˈen.ər.dʒi/
An intangible quality possessed by certain chickens that makes them appear even larger than their physical measurements suggest. Cannot be quantified by RBC's 47-point system but is universally recognized by trained observers.
"That Cochin has incredible BCE — it walks like it owns the farm."
Bigness Aura
/ˈbɪɡ.nəs ˈɔː.rə/
The measurable field of perceived largeness that surrounds a really big chicken. One of the 47 criteria in RBC's official evaluation system. Measured in Clucks (see: Cluck).
Brahma Moment
/ˈbrɑː.mə ˈmoʊ.mənt/
The instant of realization when you encounter a chicken so large that your brain needs a moment to recalibrate its understanding of poultry. Named after the Brahma breed, which reliably produces this effect.
C
Chicken, Really Big
/ˈtʃɪk.ɪn ˈriː.li bɪɡ/
The core subject of RBC's mission. A chicken that significantly exceeds standard size expectations for its breed. The "Really Big" designation is not awarded lightly — it must be earned through verified measurements and the official RBC evaluation process.
Cluck (unit of measurement)
/klʌk/
The proprietary RBC unit of bigness measurement. One Cluck is defined as the amount of bigness required to make a casual observer say "wow, that's a big chicken." The scale is logarithmic. Most RBC-certified chickens register between 3 and 7 Clucks.
Coop Overflow
/kuːp ˈoʊ.vər.floʊ/
A condition in which a chicken is too big for its designated coop. A common and prestigious problem among RBC-rated chickens. Not to be confused with Stack Overflow, which is for a different kind of problem entirely.
D
Double-Take Threshold
/ˈdʌb.əl teɪk ˈθreʃ.oʊld/
The minimum size at which a chicken reliably causes passersby to look twice. This threshold varies by region — in areas with larger average chickens, a higher Double-Take Threshold applies. RBC regional offices maintain calibrated thresholds for 190 countries.
F
Feather-to-Body Ratio (FBR)
/ˈfeð.ər tə ˈbɒd.i ˈreɪ.ʃi.oʊ/
A key metric in the RBC evaluation system. A high FBR indicates a chicken that appears even bigger due to excessive plumage. Cochins and Orpingtons score particularly well on FBR, which some critics call "cheating" but RBC considers "strategic fluffiness."
Fowl Play
/faʊl pleɪ/
Any attempt to fraudulently inflate a chicken's size for RBC certification purposes. This includes (but is not limited to): stuffing feathers, strategic camera angles, standing the chicken on a platform, or taping two regular chickens together. RBC has a zero-tolerance policy for fowl play.
G
Giga-Hen
/ˈɡɪɡ.ə hen/
Informal term for a female chicken exceeding 12 lbs. While not an official RBC classification, the term has gained widespread acceptance in the big chicken community. Male equivalent: Giga-Rooster (also informal).
H
Hen Fever
/hen ˈfiː.vər/
A historical phenomenon from the 1850s in which the public became obsessed with large, exotic chicken breeds — particularly Cochins imported from China. Considered the first documented outbreak of mass enthusiasm for really big chickens. RBC considers this the spiritual precursor to the modern big chicken movement.
I
Incomprehensibly Big
/ˌɪn.kɒm.prɪˈhen.sɪ.bli bɪɡ/
The highest rating on the official RBC Bigness Scale. Reserved for chickens that defy reasonable expectations of chicken size. As of 2026, only three chickens have ever received this rating. Their names are classified for security reasons.
M
Mega-Cluck
/ˈmeɡ.ə klʌk/
One thousand Clucks. A theoretical unit of bigness that no living chicken has achieved, though Colonel Massive (19.8 lbs, Brahma) came close at an estimated 847 Clucks during his peak evaluation period.
P
Poultry of Unusual Size (POUS)
/ˈpoʊl.tri əv ʌnˈjuː.ʒu.əl saɪz/
A chicken that falls outside the normal size distribution for its breed. The POUS designation is a prerequisite for RBC evaluation. Not to be confused with Rodents of Unusual Size, which are a different problem and not within RBC's jurisdiction.
R
RBC
/ɑːr biː siː/
Really Big Chicken. The world's premier authority on large poultry. Founded in 2026. If you are reading this glossary and still wondering what RBC stands for, we admire your thoroughness but respectfully direct you to the homepage.
RBC-Certified
/ɑːr biː siː ˈsɜːr.tɪ.faɪd/
A designation indicating that a chicken has been officially evaluated and confirmed as really big by an authorized RBC inspector. RBC certification is recognized in 190 countries and is considered the gold standard in big chicken verification.
Really Big
/ˈriː.li bɪɡ/
The baseline rating on the RBC Bigness Scale. While "Really Big" is the minimum qualification for RBC recognition, it should not be underestimated — a Really Big chicken is still significantly larger than a merely "big" chicken. The distinction matters.
S
Scale Breaker
/skeɪl ˈbreɪ.kər/
A chicken so heavy that it literally exceeds the capacity of standard poultry scales. RBC field offices are equipped with industrial-grade scales for this purpose, but occasionally even those prove insufficient. When a Scale Breaker is identified, RBC dispatches a specialized Heavy Poultry Response Team.
Strategic Fluffiness
/strəˈtiː.dʒɪk ˈflʌf.i.nəs/
The evolutionary or selective breeding adaptation by which certain chicken breeds (particularly Cochins and Silkies) appear significantly larger due to excessive feathering. RBC considers Strategic Fluffiness a legitimate form of bigness. Purists disagree. The debate continues.
V
Visual Impact Factor (VIF)
/ˈvɪʒ.u.əl ˈɪm.pækt ˈfæk.tər/
An RBC metric measuring the visual impression of a chicken's size relative to its surroundings. A chicken standing next to a small dog has a higher VIF than the same chicken standing next to a horse. VIF is context-dependent and must be measured under controlled conditions by an RBC inspector.
Y
Yardbird, Exceptional
/ˈjɑːrd.bɜːrd ɪkˈsep.ʃən.əl/
Colloquial term for a backyard chicken that unexpectedly qualifies for RBC certification. Many of the greatest big chickens in history were Exceptional Yardbirds — ordinary backyard chickens that turned out to be extraordinary in size. If you suspect your yardbird may be exceptional, contact RBC immediately.

Contributing to the RBC Glossary

The RBC glossary is a living document. As the field of big chicken studies evolves, so too must our language. If you believe a term is missing from this glossary, or if you have coined a new term that you believe meets RBC's rigorous standards, we encourage you to reach out. All submissions are reviewed by the RBC Terminology Committee, which meets quarterly (or whenever someone finds a really big chicken).

Remember: RBC stands for Really Big Chicken. And now you have the vocabulary to talk about it properly. For more information, visit our homepage, explore our breed rankings, or read the history of RBC.