Expanding my flock with adult chickens...how old are they?

[Tabatha]

Over Memorial Day, I got a set of silkies and an easter egger (bought from a flea market) for my birthday. I already had 11, a mixed group of various breeds, all raised from chicks. They are 16 weeks old and not yet laying or crowing. While integrating the newbies into my flock, I noticed a lot of differences. How can I tell how old my new chickens are? I think they are definitely older than my flock. The silkie rooster is crowing, strutting, humping like mad (and has perfect...eh hmm...aim), and has spur nubs the size of the tip of my pinky. The silkie hen is about half his size, but has her big girl voice. The Easter Egger (who ran into the woods as soon as I loosed her to fully be a member of the flock and I haven't been able to catch her) actually layed an egg in my van on the way home. This is my first flock and I have no experience (other than as a child...and I've slept since then) to compare their development to. Any ideas? Anyone know the milestones of development? Silly question, I know...everyone is genius on here!

PS...any ideas on how to get my Easter Egger back home? I don't think she was ever handled like I spoil mine. She was fiNe with the flock until the silkie rooster decided to test his "aim" with her...then she bolted. But I guess I would too if someone bit my head and pinned me down for 3.5 seconds....or would I? Sorry. Got off track there. Any suggestions? With the hen...not my love life.

 

[Tabatha]

My Ee...Aka Fizgig...Aka MIA

 

[Tabatha]

My Silkie Hen...Aka Lita

 

[Tabatha]

My Silkie Rooster...Aka Ozzy

 

[kacklinkelly]

Ours come running anytime they hear snacks being shaken in the container. I would try a bribe of snacks from the area you
last saw her leading back to your coop area. You might need a big net if she's that skittish. Are you concerned about blending the flock
so quickly? I am new to backyard chickens. In reading on this forum, most posts suggest a quarantine area and time b4 integrating into their flock. Best of luck.

 

[Tabatha]

I Think I Did Kinda Rush It...But Only Because She Seemed Fine With Everyone. I Had Hens Get In Her Cage With Her And Cuddle. The Ones That Couldn't Figure Out How To Get In, Snuggled Beside Her Through The Cage. I Guess I Jumped The Gun, Not Thinking About The Rooster's Obsession With Humping...Lol. All My Flock Are Free Rangers During The Day And Coopers At Night...Do You Think She Will Eventually Find The Flock?

 

[Tabatha]

Btw...I Hate My Phone. I Don't Know How To Get It To Stop Capitalizing Every First Letter. It Only Does It On This Site.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

She free ranges with them during the day doesn't she? Eventually she will roost in the coop when the others do one night. I had two very skittish leghorn being introduced that didn't go back to the coop with the others and roosted in a tree hanging over the river for a week. Couldn't catch them during days but they did stay on outskirts of the rest of flock and eventually mingled with them to one night going to coop at night with them.

 

[Tabatha]

She Doesn't Free Range With Them At All. I Can Hear Her In The Woods, But With My Hips And Knees, I Can't Go Tromping In After Her, Let Alone Chase And Catch Her. My Dog, (A Pit That Points...Lol) Found Her Twice And Held, But I Couldn't Get To Her.

 

[Tabatha]

Anyone Know How Old My New Chickens Might Be?