how do you tell how old a chicken is?

[Sheep Lady]

Flock Master: Thank you so much for a scientific/biological way of aging chickens. I have a mixed group and know I need to cull the old girls. Now I will know how to tell the productive hens from those who are not producing or at least not producing many eggs.

 

[LindaB220]

Flock Master: Thank you so much for a scientific/biological way of aging chickens. I have a mixed group and know I need to cull the old girls. Now I will know how to tell the productive hens from those who are not producing or at least not producing many eggs.

Hey Sheep Lady,

Glad to have you with us. Look around and post to different sites. We're good people.

 

[bill maynard]

I have 6 road island reds do not know how old they are not laying yet
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[bordemundo]

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[MysteriaSdrassa]

Don't think chickens are your personal egg slaves, and frankly it is a bit offensive for us who respect animal's rights

 

[amyduck]

My vet can always tell if one of my girls is still laying or not... It has to do with the color of their beak.... and I'm trying to remember just what it is - I think he said the beak is a lighter color when they are still laying and turn darker yellow/orange when they aren't. I'd be curious from those of you who know who is and isn't laying... if you notice this in their beaks.

 

[lucyday]

I have 2 australorp hens who I bought from the same place and was told they are both the same age, within a week one had started laying. It's now been 6 weeks and still no eggs, at first I thought it might be because of worms but have treated her for that and still no eggs, she has a very pale tone to her face and wattle is very pale pink she is also very lethargic She just seems to sleep on and off from the minute I let her out coop in the morning.and just isn't bright eyed like my other girls. I also found poo with what looked like blood so I was advised to treat for coccidiosis. Four days into treatment and no improvement with lethargy or the paleness but now after searching online it looks like the blood may have just been sheding of lining of intestines. So to my actual question, rather than being ill could it be that she is just old?

 

[enola]

No, this hen is sick. What did you use to worm her? And what are you using to treat for ccccidiosis?

 

[lucyday]

She had lice Aswell when we got her, so we gave her harkers 3 in 1 ivermectin and coxoid for the coccidiosis

 

[jpkh1975]

I got 4 hens for eggs I was told ther 8 mth old ? How do I no this for shure ? I got to large eggs so far . I only got them a few days ago . At the min its cold outside . Im not getting eggs yet ? The guy told me I need a light for them ? Is this true?.I have few more questions can anyone help with the questions above ?