Any way to tell how old adult chickens are?

[rcentner]

I got some chickens last year from a guy who was losing them to predation and he wasn't all that in tune with his chickens (I guess to him they were just egg factories). I have no idea how old the roo and the hen are. The hen still lays eggs, but not everyday, over the winter she laid one a week at most, now she lays about every other day. I thought she was old cause her head is pretty bald, but is it bald from the roo? When they were in with the other chickens, he almost never mounted her and her head was bald then too. so I wondered if there were any ways to distinguish how old they might be. BTW, They are mutt chickens (maybe wyandotte-rsl cross on the hen, and maybe cochin-leghorn cross on the roo). Probably not, but I had to ask!
Thanks all!

 

[GardeNerd]

I think experienced chicken people feel the chicken's pelvises, breast bones, and inspect the vent.

Checking the vet will help with their egg laying ability. If the vent is pink and moist the hen is still probably a good young layer, if the vent is whitish and dry, then the hen is older and probably not laying as often. If the breastbone of the hen feels very flexible, then it is young. If it feels like it still has some give but not a lot, it might be around a year. If it is rigid, then it is an older hen. I think with a pelvis check there is more space in a younger hen. It has been awhile since I read up on it. At least this will bump your post and someone with more experience might post better suggestions for you.

 

[rcentner]

Just in case anyone wondered, I did read last night that roosters are only fertile for 3 years, so I will know when he is 3. (not yet) But the hen is layin good, looking good and a pretty nasty hen (to the other hens). Any input would be appreciated, thanks!