Chickens for 10-20 years or more? Pull up a rockin' chair and lay some wisdom on us!

[navasima]

I had a cat who lived in my kennel building. He would catch mice and put them in his litter box! Awesome cat!

 

[navasima]

I asked this question once and got the response '...post pictures...'; so I'll try again here....

When trying to determine the age of a hen, what do you look for? Is there any way to know if what I'm looking at is a 1 year old or a 4 year old?

I did read the post(s) regarding vent checking, but also read the part about that being a crap shoot sometimes.

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know that I ever tried to determine the relative age of a chicken and I think it would be a difficult thing to do...I generally know how old all mine are if I raise them myself and chickens I get from other sources I just take on faith. Not a good method, I'm sure.

My grandma seemed to be able to tell by the bird's general appearance of scales and body/feathers/skin...she seemed to be able to determine an old hen as opposed to a new hen.

I'm up for this kind of info too....any of you OTs have any foolproof ways of knowing the age of a hen, other than an obvious new pullet, of course.

 

[Lollipop]

I don`t think there is any way to tell 100% how old a chicken is. Obvious clues would be her vent, codition of her legs, and her general appearance, but there is a large margin for error.........Pop

 

[Iron-Roo]

Just read every post in this thread. Just great! Before long I will know what I am doing...

thank you.

Jon

 

[deerman]

Quote:
my Dad could alway tell the true age of all his chicken.....everyone.






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. WING BANDS and Good record keeping.........

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:

I'm with Deerman, keep records! lol


Chickens have been in my family for generations. This is the poultry house my grandfather and mom raised chicken used back in the 40s. They hatched, grew them out, plus eggs and sold them to restaurants along the train line. So as I am an old hen I know alittle about chicken raising!

 

[Beekissed]

I love that old hen house!!!

I'm so glad you joined us, Tuff!

 

[Lollipop]

Got me there. Guess I had in mind just any old chicken, anywhere, like something somebody would give you, or something one might purchase. I keep my fowl wingbanded also and records, too. Just can`t seem to get the knack of telling the age of a bird that isn`t mine. LOL......Pop

 

[navasima]

Fair enough all - thanks!