How do you AGE Chickens

[ChickenGeorge]

How do you age chickens? If you do not know the history is there a way to do this?

 

[65browneyes]

Good question! I'm anxious to hear the answer(s).

 

[livestock101]

Well let's see.

First look at the legs. Roosters and some pullets will have stubs where the spurs will eventually grow. If you see spurs, the longer the spur, the older the bird, unless of course that the spurs have broken off or were trimmed/cut. Aged roosters and hens also have rough looking legs. They aren't smooth like pullets/cockerels. Older birds also tend to look round, fatter looking, not lean like a growing pullet/cockerel. When you pick up an older bird, it will feel heavy/stocky (unless it's sick/in very poor health).

That's all I can think of right now.

Here's a website with some info regarding hens.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI1182.html