Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: upthetump on February 24, 2008, 12:39

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: upthetump on February 24, 2008, 12:39

I'm getting my first chickens soon either from BHWT or from a local supplier Mr Welshegg (orchards). I know the ones from BHTW will be the age they say but how can you tell if the hens you buy from others are 18-19 weeks as they claim?

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: Wildeone on February 24, 2008, 12:41

I'm sure Aunt Sally said they're 70 weeks old or there abouts from the BHWT.

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 24, 2008, 13:22

72 weeks from the BHWT. As to others suppliers,  It is difficult to tell their age exactly, and not everyone is as honest as I am!!!!  I'm sure the ones we got last year were younger than we were told!

My POL's are now 24 weeks old, and their combs are still very small, indicating which ones are not laying yet.  the few that are laying have slightly larger redder combs.

Saying that, I still have one old POL from last August who hasn't laid at all and her comb is still small and pale.  But her 11 mates have larger redder combs.

I think you can tell from their feet and legs too, but Munty is the one for that.  He can look at a chicken and tell you roughly how old it is!!!!!

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: poultrygeist on February 24, 2008, 13:26

You count the candles on their birthday cake of course !!  :D

We got ours at 18 weeks (which we knew they were) and their combs were not developed and very pale. They are now 6 weeks older and a couple of them still have slightly pale combs and are not fully developed but the other 4 are becoming a lovely deep red and getting prominent.
Also the tail feathers were not fully developed. They weren't pointing up at teh back like they are now.
I'm sure there are more differences which will be pointed and I presume it varies from breed to breed.

Rob

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 24, 2008, 13:33

And I could have proved they were 18 weeks if you'd wanted, as I still have their passport in my little box!!!!!   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: poultrygeist on February 24, 2008, 13:40

They've been on holiday ??!!

My passport proves I'm only just over 18 too ! + a little bit.

Rob

Title: how do you know how old chickens are?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 24, 2008, 13:46

Yeah, they sent me a postcard Rob!!!!!    :lol:

The hatchery gave me a 'passport' when we picked them up, but its only a piece of paper, but defo says passport on it!!!!!!  Tells you when they were hatched, what flock they hatched from, what shed they hatched in!!!!!