Age, life stage, laying status and feed
| Laying | First eggs due any time |
|---|---|
| Feed | Layer feed plus free choice grit and oyster shell |
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Chicken Age Calculator: the complete guide
Chicken age drives everything: which feed to buy, when to expect the first egg, and whether a hen that stopped laying is molting or simply retired. Enter a hatch date and this calculator gives you exact age plus what that age means.
How the chicken age calculator works
- Age is counted in days from the hatch date and converted to weeks, months and years.
- Life stage follows standard keeper milestones: chick to six weeks, grower to sixteen, point of lay around eighteen to twenty two weeks.
- Feed switches at eight weeks from starter to grower, and at point of lay to layer feed with free choice oyster shell.
- Laying output peaks in the first full year and drops roughly 15 to 20 percent a year after that.
How to use it
- Enter the hatch date. If you bought started pullets, use the date the hatchery gives you.
- Read the age in weeks, which is the number that matters for feed decisions.
- Check the stage and laying status to see what to expect next.
Step by step examples
Chicks hatched in March, checked in July
About 18 weeks old, point of lay, so switch to layer feed and put fake eggs in the nest boxes.
A hen bought as a pullet four years ago
Roughly four and a half years old. Expect two or three eggs a week at best and long molts.
Recommended values
| Item | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chick | 0 to 6 weeks | Starter feed, brooder |
| Grower | 6 to 16 weeks | Grower feed |
| Point of lay | 18 to 22 weeks | Switch to layer feed |
| Peak laying | Year 1 to 2 | |
| Typical lifespan | 6 to 10 years |
Common mistakes
- Feeding layer feed to birds under 16 weeks. The calcium damages young kidneys.
- Assuming a three year old hen is broken when she is simply past peak.
- Guessing age from size. Breed and feed change growth rate far more than age does.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do chickens start laying?
Most laying breeds start between 18 and 22 weeks. Heavy dual purpose breeds can take 24 to 28 weeks.
How long do chickens live?
Six to ten years is normal for a backyard hen, though production breeds often live shorter lives than heritage breeds.
How long do hens keep laying?
Useful laying runs about three to four years, then falls off sharply while the hen may live years longer.
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What next?
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