Well, old chickens look old, their feet especially look old, and sometimes their beaks will look really old. But it can be quite difficult to reliably tell how old a bird is once they are a year old.
If you just got them, it is not uncommon for them to lay an egg within 24 hours. That egg was in development before you moved them to a strange place. Chickens are not a big fan of change, so may not lay again for a couple of days. Not sure where you are, but I live in SW SD, and the days are getting longer, and I anticipate mine starting to lay regularly without adding light in mid January. If they had a light where they were before, they may take a couple week break as they get used to the longer nights, and the strange place.
I think what you experienced is very normal when you move chickens, and this time of year. In six weeks I would expect them to be laying very well until late October, in which they will molt and take a break. Laying of eggs is dramatically decreased in the dark days of winter.
Mrs K
If you just got them, it is not uncommon for them to lay an egg within 24 hours. That egg was in development before you moved them to a strange place. Chickens are not a big fan of change, so may not lay again for a couple of days. Not sure where you are, but I live in SW SD, and the days are getting longer, and I anticipate mine starting to lay regularly without adding light in mid January. If they had a light where they were before, they may take a couple week break as they get used to the longer nights, and the strange place.
I think what you experienced is very normal when you move chickens, and this time of year. In six weeks I would expect them to be laying very well until late October, in which they will molt and take a break. Laying of eggs is dramatically decreased in the dark days of winter.
Mrs K
