Can you tell the age of a chicken?

[TheMother]

This might not be the smartest of questions, but are you able to tell the age of a chicken at all? I got this barred rock hen, advertised as a 9 month old. She hasn't laid any eggs in the week we've had her. I'm starting to wonder if she's younger. Or super old lol. Please help.

 

[Rose Quartz]

She's not super old. Her comb looks about big enough for laying age. It could be the stress of moving has stopped her laying for a little while, or it might be that she's hiding her eggs somewhere you haven't noticed? Have you seen her going in to the nest box area at all?

Also, her hip bones will be wider if she's laying. Before a hen starts laying they're about 1 finger width apart, after she starts laying they'll be wider set. I haven't checked mine in a while, but I think it's almost 2 fingers wide after they are laying.

Their hip bones are located just below the cloaca, in the squishy tummy area.

here's a good BYC article with pics https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[TheMother]

She's not super old. Her comb looks about big enough for laying age. It could be the stress of moving has stopped her laying for a little while, or it might be that she's hiding her eggs somewhere you haven't noticed? Have you seen her going in to the nest box area at all?

Also, her hip bones will be wider if she's laying. Before a hen starts laying they're about 1 finger width apart, after she starts laying they'll be wider set. I haven't checked mine in a while, but I think it's almost 2 fingers wide after they are laying.

Their hip bones are located just below the cloaca, in the squishy tummy area.

here's a good BYC article with pics https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Awesome info, thanks! She hasn't shown any interest in the nest boxes . I'll check her hip bones tomorrow.

 

[featheredplanets]

It could be the stress of moving has stopped her laying for a little while,

The likely case, imo. Chickens aren’t laying machines so simple stresses can cause them to take a break, nothing to be concerned about, but patience is all they need.

 

[Gray Farms]

It can take up to 3 months for hens to settle into new surroundings and start laying regularly again.