SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/chick-buy-young-hens

If you buy grown hens for eggs, about how old should they be?

No more than about a year old, because laying drops in older hens.

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  1. At least four years old
  2. Exactly three years old
  3. No more than about a year old ✔

Why: Cornell says to make sure grown hens are no more than a year or so old, because egg production can drop quickly in older hens. NC State gives the same advice.

Huh, didn't know that: Cornell says not to mix new pullets with older hens, since they may not be able to compete for food.

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What do you call a hen who has laid a lot of eggs? Experi-hen-ced.
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References

Answer: No more than about a year old. Cornell says to make sure grown hens are no more than a year or so old, because egg production can drop quickly in older hens. NC State gives the same advice.

  1. Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County: Backyard Chickens warren.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/backyard-chickens
    be sure that they are no more than a year or so old- egg production can drop quickly for older hens.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County: Backyard Chickens warren.cce.cornell.edu/agriculture/backyard-chickens
    Do not mix new pullets with older hens as they may not be able to compete with them for food.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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