how old

[jim001]

I am going to go to a auction and see aout buying my first chickens, but I was wandering if there was a way that I could get an idea of how old the bird is. I went to watch auction last week and all that was told about the bird is that it is a chicken they didnt even list what breed it was.
They were selling for about 6 to 7 dollars a bird and they have the auction every monday in lowell indiana.

 

[Chirpy]

First - You should do some research before going by finding out what breeds you want and don't want. Do you want white egg layers or brown layers? Do you want bantams or standard breeds?

I'd even go so far as to take some pictures of the breeds you do want just to give you a better chance of getting what you really want.

Of course, if you don't care at all what breed you get ... then go for it; buy what you want and then post pictures here and we'll try to help you figure em out.

It is pretty risky buying any animal from an auction but people do it all the time many with great results; sometimes it's a disaster so just be forewarned.

Paying $6 or $7 for a chicken sounds like it's an adult that's already laying or just about to lay. At least around here we don't get prices like that for chicks.

 

[ella]

There are a few things you can look at.

Pullets that are just about to lay will have smaller combs and wattles and depending on breed bright yellow legs.

Those that have been laying for a while will have bleached out their pigment again assuming they're yellow skinned.

Current layers will have a bright red waxy looking comb. A pale or shrivled comb indicates she's either not laying or even unwell.

Then just look for things like bright clean eyes, shiny plumage -uh not to shiny, if don't want a rooster! And a poo free behind.

You can check out breed pictures here

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html#Chickens

Hope you have a high speed connection though

Good luck!

 

[ella]

Oh also chickens with red earlobes lay brown eggs, those with white earlobes lay white.

There are exceptions but I don't think you'll run into any of those at an auction.