A Chicken's Growth: How Long Does It Take?

Raising chickens from scratch can be a daunting task, but with the right knowledge and care, you can ensure that your chickens grow up healthy and strong. The growth rate of a chicken is typically measured by how long it takes to reach market weight, which is influenced by factors such as breed, feed efficiency, and sustainability. On average, it takes about 48 days for a chicken to reach market weight, but slower-growing heritage breeds can take up to 81 days. Chickens go through several growth stages, from hatching to adulthood, and require proper nutrition and care to ensure their well-being. Understanding these milestones can help poultry keepers provide optimal care and management at each phase of a chicken's life.

The first 60 days of a baby chicken's life

Raising baby chickens can be a challenging task, but being well-informed can make the process easier. The first 60 days of a baby chicken's life are crucial to its long-term health and development. Here is a detailed guide to the first 60 days:

Days 1-7

Baby chickens spend the first 24-48 hours post-hatch in an incubator before being moved to a pre-warmed brooder. During the first week, they are extremely fragile and unaware of their surroundings. It is best to leave them undisturbed during this time.

Week 2

After the first week, the baby chickens will have doubled in size. They enter a "teenage awkward" stage, with patchy feathers and a taller stature. You can start to handle them gently for short periods, stroking and softly picking them up to get them accustomed to human interaction. They can also be given small amounts of treats as part of a varied diet, ensuring they have grit or coarse sand to help break down the new food.

Week 3-6

During these weeks, chicks go through visible growth changes, including the growth of new primary feathers and the development of a pecking order. They can now be placed outside for short periods if the temperature is high enough, but they must be carefully watched and kept in a secure enclosure to protect them from predators.

Week 7-15

Physical differences between male and female chicks become more obvious. Their feed should continue to be a complete starter-grower with 18% protein and no more than 1.25% calcium to avoid negatively impacting their growth.

Week 16-17

People start checking their nesting boxes for the first egg, which usually arrives around week 18. At this point, their feed should be gradually transitioned to a layer feed with less protein and more calcium for egg production.

From chick to pullet

A 'pullet' is a term used to describe a female chicken that is under 1 year of age and has not started laying eggs yet. Pullets are fully grown, with a full coat of feathers, but their bodies are still developing and are not ready to lay eggs. Pullets typically start laying eggs between their 16th and 24th week of age, although this can vary depending on breed.

Chicks require more care than pullets. For instance, baby chicks need to be kept under heat, whereas pullets do not have this requirement. Chicks are also easier to integrate with adult chickens due to their small size, which is less threatening to the adult flock. Additionally, chicks can be transported more easily than pullets, as the latter are nearly full-grown and may lose weight or become dehydrated during transportation.

On the other hand, pullets require less care than chicks. They are also easier to obtain locally, as they have a limited geographic range, whereas chicks can be ordered in larger quantities and with more variety. Pullets available from hatcheries like Meyer Hatchery are already vaccinated and dewormed, ensuring better health.

When it comes to socialization, chicks have the advantage of imprinting on the first human or animal they encounter, resulting in more manageable flocks as they get older. Raising chicks from day one also allows for conditioning them to being handled, which is beneficial for those with young children who will be around the chickens.

In terms of growth, chicks go through visible changes during weeks 5 and 6, including the growth of new primary feathers and the development of a pecking order. By weeks 7 to 15, the physical differences between genders become more obvious. Around weeks 16 to 17, people start checking their nesting boxes for the first egg. As the birds reach 18 weeks old, it is important to slowly transition to a layer feed to prevent digestive upset.

How long it takes to reach market weight

The time it takes for a chicken to reach market weight depends on various factors, including breed, genetics, and feed.

Heritage breeds, also known as slow-growing chickens, typically take about 81 days to reach market weight. These chickens have a slower feed-to-muscle conversion rate and require more resources per pound of meat. They are, however, allowed to grow stronger and healthier, requiring fewer natural resources overall. Heritage breeds are also known to have longer lifespans, with some living up to 8 years.

On the other hand, conventionally bred broiler chickens, or faster-growing chickens, can reach market weight in about 48 days on average. These chickens are bred for quick development and have a higher feed efficiency, requiring fewer resources to grow.

The Cornish cross breed, for example, is a fast-growing meat chicken that can be butchered in about 6-8 weeks and reaches a weight of about 4 pounds. In contrast, the Jersey Giant breed is a slow-growing chicken that can take 20 weeks or more to reach a desirable weight.

The growth rate of chickens can also vary depending on their purpose, with meat chickens focusing on bigger sizes and faster growth, reaching market weight in about 56 days on average. This is almost half the time it takes for a regular chicken to fully develop.

The first egg

As they progress into the second week, baby chickens grow stronger, building their muscles and improving their balance. Their legs, initially weak and fragile, gain stability with the help of a paper towel-lined brooder. This stage also marks the beginning of their social behaviours, as they establish a pecking order. Around the sixth week, it is time to transition them to their new home, a chicken coop, where they will continue to grow and develop.

The anticipation for the first egg begins around weeks 16 to 17. During this period, pullets, or young female chickens, exhibit nesting behaviours, signalling their preparation for egg production. This transition from pullets to layers is a gradual process, and the timing of the first egg depends on breed and health. On average, chickens start laying eggs at about 24 weeks, but this can vary between 18 and 20 weeks or even up to six months.

When the first egg arrives, it is a momentous occasion. However, it is important to remember that the nutrition requirements of the flock change at this stage. A gradual transition to layer feed, which has higher calcium content to support egg production, is recommended to prevent digestive issues. As the chickens continue to mature, they may experience their first moulting season, typically around 18 months, when they will shed feathers and take a break from laying eggs.

Molting

The growth rate of chickens is measured by how long it takes them to reach market weight. On average, it takes about 48 days for a conventionally bred broiler chicken to reach market weight. However, slower-growing or heritage breed chickens can take almost twice as long, reaching market weight in about 81 days. These breeds are characterised by their slower conversion of feed to muscle.

Before a chicken reaches market weight, it goes through several growth stages. In the first six days of its life, a chick undergoes visible growth changes, including growing new primary feathers. From days 7 to 15, the physical differences between male and female chicks become more obvious. From weeks 5 to 6, chicks will go through another round of visible growth changes, including new primary feathers and a developing pecking order.

In addition to these growth stages, chickens also experience moulting, a natural process where they replace their old feathers with new ones. Moulting usually occurs gradually over several weeks to months, with the first moult typically happening around 16 to 18 months of age. During moulting, chickens lose several feathers in various areas of their body, and pin feathers grow in their place. As the pin feathers develop into full feathers, they cause the release of old feathers in other areas of the body. Moulting is a stressful and painful process for chickens, and they become more susceptible to infections and cold weather. It can also cause a decrease in egg production.

The duration of moulting varies for each chicken and can last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks or more. The timing and length of moulting depend on factors such as age, nutrition, and environment. Moulting typically occurs in the fall when daylight hours decrease, signalling to the birds that it's time to renew their plumage in preparation for winter.

To help chickens through the moulting process, it is important to reduce their stress levels and limit handling as much as possible. Additionally, providing a high-protein feed can aid in feather regrowth.

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