How old is this hen?

[LaurasNew]

She's a Brahma. They typically don't start laying until 6-8 months. Most breeds start by 20 weeks (approx 5 months). She's simply taking life at her own pace. Keep an eye on her face. It will redden up. She'll likely start within 2-4 weeks of that.

Ok, thanks, I was really thinking she might be older, but hopefully you're right. I've had her for 3 months and she hasn't grown since I got her. Either way, she's a part of the family now and seems happy out. No pressure on her, once she's happy, I am too!

 

[Mrs. K]

As for telling the age, it is more of a kind of, sort of, not real perfect kind of deal. I tend to look at the feet and the beak. Once a hen is more that 2+, the beak tends to get a few ridges in it, kind of like old peoples fingernails. And their feet look old. I can't see the feet in your picture due to feathers, but the beak does not look old to me.

 

[LaurasNew]

As for telling the age, it is more of a kind of, sort of, not real perfect kind of deal. I tend to look at the feet and the beak. Once a hen is more that 2+, the beak tends to get a few ridges in it, kind of like old peoples fingernails. And their feet look old. I can't see the feet in your picture due to feathers, but the beak does not look old to me.

Just seeing this now and thank you! I should have taken a better picture and more. Now I know what to look at! I will take better pictures in the future. Dorothy has a smooth beak and feet. Nails are no longer than my other hens, who are almost a year old. Brahmas are very hard to get in Ireland, the people I bought from are really nice and have been very supportive. I got my rooster from them and he is a dream rooster!
They were never clear on ages though, they do breed many chickens and ducks. All very well looked after, maybe she is just young.

 

[rural mouse]

Just seeing this now and thank you! I should have taken a better picture and more. Now I know what to look at! I will take better pictures in the future. Dorothy has a smooth beak and feet. Nails are no longer than my other hens, who are almost a year old. Brahmas are very hard to get in Ireland, the people I bought from are really nice and have been very supportive. I got my rooster from them and he is a dream rooster!
They were never clear on ages though, they do breed many chickens and ducks. All very well looked after, maybe she is just young.

I have 4 brahmas (currently) and 1 half brahma. They all tend to do things at their own pace. 1 laid first egg at 6 months, 1 at 7, 2 at 8 and 1 at 10 months. The half is also half hamburg which typically lay at about the 5 month mark. The half laid at about 7.5 months, but lays (every time) hamburg sized/shaped eggs. The mix is more laid back than her hamburg x leghorn sisters, but much more feisty than her full brahma flock mates. Her mother is the most laid back of all the full brahmas. One of the others is almost as feisty as my leghorn mixes. Enjoy your beautiful armfuls

 

[LaurasNew]

Based upon the lack of pink in the face, she's not ready to lay yet. How energetic is she in her movements?

Hi, I bought 2 hens, supposed to have been born roughly a year ago, one has started laying but no sign of the other one starting, to me she looks like an old lady, I'm wondering if there's any way for me to tell how old she actually is?

Hi, I bought 2 hens, supposed to have been born roughly a year ago, one has started laying but no sign of the other one starting, to me she looks like an old lady, I'm wondering if there's any way for me to tell how old she actually is?

Update: Thanks so much, as per usual, best advice and knowledge comes from this site and ALWAYS in a really kind way! Dorothy has gone beautifully pink/red and is laying perfect oval shaped eggs! I'm delighted!