Quote: It depends on what you are looking for. Having some knowledge of the breeds helps. If you are just looking at mixed breed or hatchery birds it's a whole different story. If you want a young laying hen it's best if the feathers look shiny and bright and not roughed up. Young legs look much smoother than an old birds legs. You would be the safest to buy some pullets that aren't quite ready to lay. So they are smaller and still have some growing to do. At least without a trained eye you know those aren't old hens. I would avoid buying sex link birds at all unless they are still really young. Those birds lay a lot but are pretty burnt out by the time they are about 18 months old. Many people buy them, then replace them at about that time. They will still lay a bit longer but not worth paying the price for for a few months of eggs.