how can to tell the age of a chicken

[Ashburnham]

You can get a fair idea of the age of the roosters by the length of their spurs.

 

[HershelMS]

you can look at the ears on the chicken (beleive it or not... they do have them) and tell what color they will lay.
White to tan ear pads (right below the ear hole on the side of the head), will lay white eggs.Rose pedal color, they lay light brown.
Deep red will give you a light chocolate egg. Easter eggers can fool ya a bit. Some lay light green or light blue but doesnt reflect on the ear color (for instance, the americana breeds). Cross breeds such as a Plymoth rock and a Rhode Island red or white may produce an olive drab egg where full breds of both species would produce a brown egg... the cross breeds' ear color tends to be a weird shade... i would have never known this if it wasnt for being blessed with my wonderful grandma....

 

[HershelMS]

and no rock bottom guarantee on the hens.... you can, however, look at the vent. if it is still pink and moist, you at least know they are still within laying age. if not the old gal is pretty much a pet or sustanance ...

 

[Chickenlady2013]

I would like to know also. I got a pullet from Meyers and she was suppose to be 16-20weeks. she laid 4 eggs in April when I got her including one that was in the box, 23 in may, 1 in June and none in July. I think she is older than what they said. any advice.

 

[nannysmountain]

Is there a tried and true way to tell the age of chickens ?
, we got ours from a rescue, 10 chickens and down to 2-4 eggs per day

 

[crazyfeathers]

I have the same dilemma. I wish I knew how old some of my chickens were too, I just got a road island red she is full grown but doesn't appear to be all that old, but mot one egg from her. She is with Grrrtrude another one of my girls who I had to remove from the coop cuz original flock didn't like them so I know for a fact neither of these girls are laying. Also how old so silver laced, astrolorps, and jayhon need to be before they start laying. I have been a hobby farmer for about 6 months and have lots to learn.Thanks for any ideas on ages or when my pulleys will lay

 

[crazyfeathers]

Sorry about spelling pulleys was supposed to be pullets. The

 

[AfewBricks]

I have a cuckoo marans that is 2 years old, and lays an egg a day for 5 days. The first egg is pretty dark, the 5th egg is very light with dark speckles. This is the last egg. Takes a day or 2 off, and starts over with a very dark egg.

 

[AfewBricks]

Also, if I had 11 chickens and was getting 2 eggs a day, I'd be starting over. You should be getting 8 to make it worth your while, at least during spring / summer. 2 in the dead of winter isn't too bad.

 

[drfuzzette]

not true, for instance my black australorps have white ears and lay nice brown egg, also white chickens don't always lay a white egg i.e. white maran lay a chocolate colored egg