Unless you know exactly when your hens were born, it is difficult to determine their exact age. They won’t tell us directly how old they are, so we have to guess based on how they look and act.
Like most animals, a chicken’s looks and behavior gradually change as they age. It is the visible evidence of these life stages that helps us determine a hen’s age. Young birds are the easiest to spot because chicks don’t have all of their adult feathers yet; they start out with a fluffy yellow covering called down. They wear this attractive yellow coat for the first week or so of their lives.
After the first couple of weeks, chicks gradually molt their down and small feathers begin to grow to replace it. A baby chicken can be considered a chick until it sheds all its down, which usually takes around 12 weeks.
That means a chicken that still has some down is probably less than 12 weeks old. However, some breeds may take longer to lose all of their baby fluff. But, generally, the more down, the younger the bird.
If you own chickens in your backyard, knowing how old your birds are can help you in many ways. Their age can tell you about their behavior, health, and ability to lay eggs. But it’s hard to tell how old a chicken is if you didn’t raise it from a chick. Don’t worry—there are some signs that will help you figure out how old your chicken is.
Start with What You Know
Ask when the chickens were hatching or how old they are now if you bought adult chickens from a breeder, farm store, or previous owner. This will give you a starting point. You probably won’t know the exact date they hatched, but the season or year can help.
If you don’t have any background on the chicken, look for clues in their physical appearance and laying habits.
Look for Signs of Maturity
Young chickens under 20 weeks old typically have small combs and wattles. Their legs will be smooth and their feathers soft. Once a pullet starts laying eggs usually between 16-20 weeks she is sexually mature. A cockerel will begin crowing and showing interest in hens around 5 months old.
Mature hens and roosters over 1 year old will have larger, redder combs and wattles. Their legs will be thicker and scaly. Feathers will appear more worn. Hens will lay eggs regularly. Roosters will actively mate with hens.
So vibrant combs and active breeding behaviors can indicate adulthood.
Check Egg Production
Once a hen reaches peak laying age, usually around 1 year old, she will lay about 5-6 eggs per week. This depends a bit on breed, diet, and season too.
As hens age over 2 years, their egg production gradually declines. Older hens may lay only 1-2 eggs per week. Their eggs also get larger.
So low egg frequency can signify an older hen over 2 years old.
Notice Molting Patterns
Chickens molt and replace their feathers about once a year after 18 months of age. This molt typically happens in late summer or early fall.
If your chicken has gone through a molt, she is at least 18 months old. Young chickens under a year and a half will not have molted yet.
Examine Physical Features
Some physical features change as chickens age:
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Legs – Older chickens have thicker, rougher legs and more pronounced old injuries.
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Spurs – Roosters’ spurs grow longer as they age. Hens may develop small spurs over 2 years old.
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Color – Some breeds fade or change color with each molt.
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Comb & Wattles – These redden and enlarge as chickens mature, then fade as they age over 2 years.
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Feather condition – Older chickens have worn, tattered-looking feathers.
So thick legs, long spurs, faded color, and dull combs indicate an older chicken.
Consider the Breed
Some breeds mature slower than others. Large fowl breeds like Orpingtons may take over 6 months to start laying eggs. Smaller bantams reach maturity faster.
Also, some breeds, like Leghorns, lay eggs very regularly, while others, like Australorps, stop laying eggs earlier. Know what’s typical for your breed.
When in Doubt, Vent Sexing
One method used by poultry experts to determine a pullet’s age is to examine her vent. An immature pullet under 20 weeks will have a small, pinkish, dry vent. A mature, laying hen will have a larger, moist, reddish-orange vent.
So vent sexing can help identify younger pullets that aren’t laying yet.
Trust Your Judgement
There is no surefire way to find out how old your chicken is, but these signs can help you get a good idea. Think about how they look, how often they lay eggs, how often they molt, breed traits, and your own experience. You can figure out a good age range for your flock with a little detective work.
The most important thing is to keep your chickens happy and healthy, no matter their age. Pay attention to their behavior and you will get to know them as individuals. After spending time caring for your flock, you will be able to make a good estimate of their age based on subtle changes over time. So trust your judgment when it comes to determining that perfect chicken age.
From pullet to adult hen
If you are keeping multiple hens, it can be hard to tell if an individual bird has started laying or not. Pullets will have small, dry and pale vents in comparison to hens, and this can be used as a way of telling whether or not they are laying.
During this post-20-week period, both the pullets’ and cockerels’ combs and wattles will gradually become brighter and more pronounced. Birds with less vibrant combs and wattles are most likely to be aged around 12-15 weeks. The best time for a chicken to lay eggs is when its combs and wattles are the brightest. As a hen ages, the red color fades slowly over time.
Hens increase their body mass as they mature, and most have reached maximum plumes at nine months old.
From chick to pullet
Once a chick has molted and lost its down, it moves into the stage between being a chick and an adult, which in humans is like being in high school. Hens over the age of 12 weeks are in this phase, and are known as pullets. This period of their lives usually lasts until 20 weeks old, though it can be longer. The name ‘pullet’, though, is generally used for any hen under one year.
Pullets are considered adults when they lay their first eggs, which occurs somewhere between 18 and 25 weeks. Male chickens – cockerels, or roosters – reach adulthood when they start to crow and show an interest in the hens, usually by chasing them. This occurs at around five months old, although some breeds are later developers.
At this point in a chicken’s life, when it has finally become an adult bird, it is hard to pinpoint exactly how old they are. If your hens are not laying eggs yet but have all their adult plumage, they are most likely somewhere between 12 and 20 weeks old. Young hens of this age will tend to have smaller combs than fully adult birds.
The Simple Way to Tell How Old Your Chickens Are
FAQ
How can I tell how old my chicken is?
Birds with less vibrant combs and wattles are most likely to be aged around 12-15 weeks. The best time for a chicken to lay eggs is when its combs and wattles are the brightest. As a hen ages, the red color fades slowly over time.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
These are common questions when it comes to chicken treats, and luckily, we’ve got answers! Our top advice is to follow a 90/10 rule for laying hens: 90% complete layer feed and 10% chicken treats to help provide a balanced diet to your birds.
How old are chickens sold at Tractor Supply?
They are about 3/4 weeks old. (I’m assuming) We got them from Tractor Supply on May 18th. Since they didn’t say how old they were, I’d say they were only a few days old when we got them. This is our first time as chicken owners.
What does a 6 week old chick look like?
Chickens will usually be fully feathered by 5- to 6-weeks of age. Their wattles and combs should also start growing larger and becoming a deeper red.