I call my boys "chicken" as a term of endearment. They are fine with it - they don't bat an eyelid - but sometimes their friends hear me and go "chicken?" ... and you can hear their silent "what the????" at their end of their sentence lol. I totally understand that he's your baby, but I guess if he's asking you to stop because he doesn't like it, then maybe it's time to come up with an alternative endearment. Could you try babe if you're comfortable with that term, and just see how he responds? Just a thought. Hugs hun ... he will always be your baby in your heart xx