how do you tell age in chickens???

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

Is there something to look for? How do you tell old from young etc...???

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I know if they are roos look at the size of their spurs. Young ones don't have that long of spurs yet. With my hens I usually look at nails and the shape of their legs (smooth yet) bottoms of feet of my older birds look worn and just used. My older ones waddle more. Just what I noticed..oh yes and another thing with hens..they lay less eggs the older they get.

 

[midget_farms]

It can be pretty hard to tell an old hen from one that isn't so old.

If they are a yellow skinned variaty the skin will bleach out as they complete a laying cycle (spring to fall) - so younger birds tend to have yellower skin.

Also - if you pick them up - an older bird will have a very hard breast bone while a younger birds breast bone will still be somewhat flexible.

beyond that you have to ask her - and we all know how women feel about telling you their age!

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

Quote:

 

[Hippie Chicks Mom]

Look at their leg color. If they are yellow legged birds, they get paler, to white as they age. Hope that helps.

 

[dawg53]

Additionally, the scales on their legs get wider/bigger as they get older. Their beaks get more rounded whereas when they were younger they are more pointed. The older they get, I've noticed their eyes become somewhat sunken.

 

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

Thanxs this info helps a lot.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer

 

[Kaitie09]

Our old one (8) seemed to always have her eyes partially closed, and she tended to lay down more than the younger ones.

 

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

** 8** holy cow... thats great ! i didnt think they lived that long ... sooo nice to know they do