Sunday, August 29, 2010

Q&A: Hen's Age

Cause for Celebration??
Q:  At what age does a hen begin to lay eggs?

A:  First off, young female chickens are called pullets until they reach the age of 1 year, and that is when they technically can be called "hens".  A pullet will start to lay eggs between 4 and 5 months of age, generally.  It actually depends on the breed of chicken - some may start as late as 8 months of age.  Each breed matures differently.
Barnevelder Pullet at 4 months old
This morning I went out to collect eggs and I found a very small egg - and I determined my second Barnevelder finally started to lay.  I had purchased 2 pullets at the same time, to keep each other company, as the older girls would reject them from the flock until they were of similar size as the rest of the group.  They were nearly 4 months old when I brought them home.  One of the girls started laying 3 weeks ago, at 5 months of age.  I was told they were hatched at the same time, but one of the pullets was a bit smaller.  So this morning, being 1 week shy of 5 months, she became a "working girl"!  In another 6 months they will reach the age of perfection - full-fledged HEN-HOOD!!!  So then we can throw a PARTY - - - Complete with CAKE!!!

6 comments:

Jane said...

That is a really cute cake! Someone - perhaps it was you - has a real talent for cake decoration.

Jane

^..^Corgidogmama said...

I always wondered about the proper name for the girls...and how egg production began. Verrrry interesting, and a clever cake design indeed!

Angela said...

Yeah! More eggs! How exciting it must be to find a tiny little egg this morning!

That cake is so cute! Now I want me some cake! hehehe

Have a Great Day!
Angela

Seizing My Day said...

did you make that cake?!! it is so cute! it would be hard to eat it!!
Yay for older hens!

Chatty Crone said...

That is soooooooo cute. Want my address (lol). sandie

Susan McClaskey said...

Just dropping by to say thanks for visiting Buttermilk Cottage. Hope you'll come by often. Glad your second Barnevelder is keeping up with her "sister."
Susan