Emily Carter
There are several ways to determine whether a chicken is young or old. The number of eggs they lay in relation to other birds of the same breed can be an indicator of age, as can the size of the eggs. Young layers tend to lay extra-small eggs, and as a bird matures, her eggs get larger. The vent of a younger bird will be moist and pink-looking, while older birds have larger, rougher shanks. A chick is considered a teenager at 12 weeks old, when it will have its adult plumage, and it will be an adult when it lays its first egg, between 18 and 25 weeks. Roosters will crow and have larger combs and wattles, while hens will have smaller combs and wattles, shorter and more rounded feathers, and smaller frames.
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What You'll Learn
Check the chicken's comb and wattle colouring
The colouring of a chicken's comb and wattle can indicate its age. Young hens will have smaller combs than fully adult birds. Roosters will have larger combs and wattles that are bright red. Hens will have smaller combs and wattles, which are more pink in colour.
Young male Silkies can be identified by the development of streamer feathers around their crests at seven weeks of age, whereas female Silkies have more rounded, even crests.
Young hens will have smaller combs than fully adult birds. If you are keeping multiple hens, it can be hard to tell if an individual bird has started laying eggs. 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.
Young hens will also have smaller combs and wattles compared to roosters. Their hackle feathers will not be pointed, and they will lack the long saddle and tail feathers characteristic of roosters.
As chickens age, their heads and necks can turn grey, similar to humans.
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Observe the size and sheen of its shanks
Shanks, or a chicken's lower legs, can be a good indicator of its age. Young chickens will have smooth shanks with a sheen to them. Their legs will also be thinner and smoother. As chickens age, their shanks will become rougher and larger, and their legs will thicken and become rougher. The scales on their legs may become slightly raised, and the colour of their legs may fade.
Roosters will also develop longer spurs on their shanks as they age. While spurs can be maintained and are not foolproof, they can be a good indicator of age. Roosters of certain breeds may also have different plumage colours than hens of the same breed.
Another way to determine the age of a chicken is to look at the colour of its shanks, feet, toes, and nails. A chicken that has been laying for six months will lose the yellow colour in these areas. When she stops laying, either for a moult or at the end of her productive life, the yellow colour will return in the same order it previously faded.
Therefore, by observing the size, sheen, colour, and texture of a chicken's shanks, as well as the presence or absence of spurs, you can make an educated guess about its age.
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Compare egg size and frequency to other birds of the same breed
The size of a chicken egg is determined by its weight, not its volume. The weight of the egg is influenced by the breed of the chicken, with larger breeds like Jersey Giants, Cochins, and Orpingtons laying bigger eggs, and smaller breeds like Bantam hens laying smaller eggs. The time of year can also affect egg size, with hens naturally stopping laying in winter unless provided with artificial lighting, and those that do continue to lay often producing smaller eggs.
Chicken eggs are typically graded into weight classes for sales, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) setting standards for egg sizes in the United States based on the minimum weight per dozen eggs. The most common size in the U.S. is 'Large', which is also the standard size used in recipes. Other weight classes include peewee, small, medium, extra-large, and jumbo. Peewee eggs, laid by very young hens, are the smallest and rarest size. Jumbo eggs, on the other hand, are the largest weight class, often containing double yolks.
Comparing egg size and frequency among different breeds of chickens can help determine the relative youth or age of a chicken. For example, if a chicken of a particular breed consistently lays smaller eggs than its peers, it may be a younger chicken that has not yet reached its full laying potential. Similarly, comparing the frequency of egg-laying between chickens of the same breed can provide insights into their relative ages. Older chickens may lay fewer eggs or take longer breaks between laying seasons, while younger chickens may have higher laying frequencies.
In addition to size and frequency, other factors can also provide clues about the age of a chicken in relation to others of the same breed. For instance, the colour and shape of eggs can vary within the same breed, and these variations may be influenced by the age of the chicken. Moreover, the time required for embryo development and hatching can be influenced by egg size, with larger eggs needing more total incubation time. Therefore, by comparing the size, shape, colour, and hatching time of eggs between chickens of the same breed, one can gain insights into their relative ages.
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Examine the condition of the vent
The vent is the part of a chicken's body where faeces and eggs are released. Vent sexing is a method used to determine the sex of a chick by examining the inside of its vent. This method can be used on any breed of chick, and it is typically performed by professionals in large commercial hatcheries.
Vent sexing is a long and difficult process that requires extensive, in-person training. It involves looking inside the cloaca, or vent, to identify the presence or absence of female reproductive parts. While this method can be used to determine the sex of a chick, it is important to note that it is not 100% accurate, even for experts. The results of vent sexing are only about 90% accurate, and there is a risk of causing harm to the chick if it is not done correctly.
In addition to sex identification, the condition of a chicken's vent can also provide clues about its age. A moist and pink vent is generally indicative of a younger bird, as young pullets develop a pink and moist vent when they start laying eggs. Older hens that are no longer laying eggs will have a pale, sometimes yellowish vent that is dry.
Overall, while vent sexing and examining the vent condition can provide information about a chicken's sex and age, it is important to approach these methods with caution and seek proper training or guidance to ensure accuracy and avoid potential harm to the bird.
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Look out for moulting and changes in feathers
Moulting is a key indicator of a chicken's age. Moulting is when a chicken loses its old feathers and grows new ones. Chickens moult at different times, but it is usually seasonal, with the feathers protecting them from the cold in winter. If a chicken has gone through a moult, it is at least 18 months old. Moulting is a good indicator of age as it is a dramatic change in appearance.
Young chickens will have a complete set of adult feathers by 12 weeks old. They will keep this plumage for a year before moulting and growing new feathers. Therefore, if a chicken has adult feathers, it is at least 12 weeks old, and if it has new feathers after moulting, it is at least 18 months old.
The appearance of feathers can also indicate a chicken's age. Young hens will have shorter, more rounded feathers than roosters, and their hackle feathers will not be pointed. Roosters will have longer, pointed feathers, including long saddle feathers and tail feathers. Roosters of certain breeds, such as Silkies, will have streamer feathers from around seven weeks old.
The colour of feathers can also indicate age. Some breeds, such as the Speckled Sussex, change colour with each moult. Therefore, the ratio of red to white feathers on a Speckled Sussex chicken can indicate its age.
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Frequently asked questions
Young chickens are slender, whereas older chickens have a more solid and rounded frame. Older chickens also have rougher legs and longer claws than younger birds.
Older hens lay fewer eggs, but the eggs are larger, with thinner shells and runnier albumen.
Young roosters may challenge the head rooster and chase hens, whereas older hens are less active and may walk stiffly.
An older chicken that is inactive and fed too much grain can accumulate fat, especially in the abdominal cavity.
Older hens may suffer from arthritis and could develop conditions that cause weight loss.
