How old am I?

[FeatherstoneFrm]

I got this pretty EE at a chicken swap a few weeks ago. I was told she was about 2 years old, had been given to the people that had her and hadn't laid for them yet but she had for the previous owner. Sketchy, I know. My DD just fell in love and didn't want to leave her there.
I am wondering about her age though because she doesn't squat at all, not even to duck out from under your hand she just moves away. One of the cockerelsmates with her though. Her legs are not as big and leg scales look the same as our 25 week olds, and I checked her pubic bones and they are very close, similar to my young ones who are not laying yet.
I know it might be hard to tell and I probably just have to wait it out to see moults or lays or not. I know she could be so old she is in retirement, and that's ok. Everyone deserves a place to live until they die.
I'm just curious to see if any of you have an opinion

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Some birds will never squat, in my experience.

She is a pretty gal, I love EE's!

Sometimes... they are the best at hiding eggs.

If she isn't hiding them... I MIGHT wonder about internal laying. But I have had a few EE that were just VERY inconsistent layers taking weeks off at a time for no obvious reason. Moving may have had an impact... how long did she stay at her second home before you got her?

Possible her eggs aren't blueish and being mistaken for someone else's?

Her feathers aren't in as poor of condition as I would expect to see for a bird approaching their first molt. Scales don't look bad either as you note... maybe she came from a pretty good home! Or maybe as you suspect they may be off on age. It's easy for people to get mixed up especially if her original home had many generations or other that looked similar.

Retirement should be a ways off though.

Sorry I wasn't any help, but thanks for sharing anyways.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Once a chicken fully matures it’s hard to know it’s exact age. I have a friend who has some 10 year old hens and if she hadn’t told me their age I would never have guessed that they were that old.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Some birds are easier to see the wrinkles/sagging on their faces and at least get a clue...

And with stags you can look at their spurs, some.

But this beauty looks like she will stay young forever.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Thanks for your replies. I know she isn't laying as I only have 2 layers currently. They both just started laying so their eggs are smallish. I'm not sure how long she was at her second home. I don't think very long. She is still trying to find her place among my small flock. She bosses the 3 littles around (12 week olds), has placed herself slightly above the lowest of the 3 25 week old pullets and the other two plus 1 cockerel chase her so she spends a good bit of the day on top of the coop wall. I send the big
I'm wondering if the pubic bones close back up after a period of not laying or if she just hasn't laid yet at all.
I know it's all a guessing game. But I love a good puzzle.

 

[sourland]

Fully mature but not ancient. Regardless of her age she is a very pretty, healthy looking bird.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

But this beauty looks like she will stay young forever.

She is a pretty girl and very sweet. My 11 year old carried her in her arms at the chicken swap after we bought her, then held her all the way home. She was so calm and sweet. My girls named her Pumpkin Spice Latte.

 

[aart]

I'm wondering if the pubic bones close back up after a period

Yes, they do.... have tested this on molting birds.

Same bird as here?:

I adopted this pretty Easter egger Saturday. I am told she is about 2 years old, very sweet and docile. Her owner recently passed away and a neighbor took the small flock to find them homes.

She may not lay again this fall, may molt instead.

 

[Sneebsey]

She's a lovely hen; love her colours. I agree that it is hard to tell age, but she's by no means on her way out; she looks healthy, bright eyes and has good form, so should have some time ahead of her yet. A lot of mine are moulting at the moment, and it looks like she may be as well; I can see nice bright new feathers coming in next to faded older ones, so I would posit that she's having a soft-moult, which is easier on the bird anyway.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Such a pretty EE! No matter the age, she is adorable! Enjoy!