Chicken Age Calculator
Enter your chicken’s hatch date to see its age in weeks and its current life stage.
AgeEnter a hatch date
Life stages
Chick (0–6 wks) → Pullet (6–18 wks) → Point of lay (18–21 wks) → Laying hen → Senior (3+ yrs).
How we calculate it
Age = today − hatch date. Stages: chick under 6 weeks, pullet 6 to 18 weeks, point of lay 18 to 21 weeks, laying after ~21 weeks, senior past ~3 years.
Based on:
- Most hens reach point of lay around 18 to 22 weeks (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Laying declines as hens age past their first two to three years (Mississippi State Extension)
- Pullets typically begin laying around 18 to 20 weeks (Penn State Extension)
Figures are typical guidelines for planning. Your birds, breed, climate, and feed will vary.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell how old my chicken is?
If you know the hatch date, enter it above for an exact age. Without it, judge by feathering (chicks are fluffy), comb and wattle development, and leg-scale condition: older hens have rougher, thicker leg scales.
At what age do hens start laying?
Most standard breeds begin laying at 18–22 weeks (about 5 months). Larger breeds like Orpingtons and Brahmas can take up to 24–28 weeks.
How long do backyard chickens live?
Backyard hens commonly live 5–8 years, though egg production drops sharply after age 2–3. With good care some hens reach 10 years or more.