Old hen/ young hen

[Vugaris]

I have read that hens usually only lay until they are around 3 years of age and then they stop. Is this true, and is there a way to tell how old a hen is (without knowing her background)?

Thank you

 

[Imp]

They don't stop laying. They slow down as they age. After about 2-3 years old. Some people lucky enough to have chicken for 10-15 years have said they still get an occasional egg.
I don't have any idea how to tell their age. Maybe some one else can answer that.


Imp

 

[Wild Chicken]

I'm also interested in knowing if you can tell the age of a hen. We purchased 3 supposed juvenile self blue d'uccles that still haven't laid, they were supposedly from this spring's hatch. So either they just haven't laid yet, or they are older and slowing down.

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Last year I bought spring hatch pullets in June. They didn't start laying till December.

Imp

 

[sammysam]

wondering the same thing. I just bought some australorps that are supposedly six months old but not sure. Had them for 3 weeks and still no eggs. Is it possible to tell their age?