[Glaswegian]

hi all.
i am a bit of a novice at this chicken keeping.i am looking to buy some light sussex hens,but i was wondering what is the best age in months to buy.i rang a chap who had hens for sale.they were two years old. is this a bit old for a hen?

                                       cheers johnie.

[jameslindsay]

What age should you get chickens?   Top
While you can buy fertilised eggs and hatch them, it is a better idea to buy either day old chicks or point-of-lay pullets. Point-of-lay pullets are about 18 weeks of age and are just at ‘the point of laying’, which usually starts at about 22 to 24 weeks of age.

Hope this helps.

[Rosemary]

If they are a pure breed and cheap ie a couple of quid, they might be OK.

Best (most productive) age to buy is about 18-22 weeks, called point of lay (POL). Most hens will start to lay 22-24 weeks. They lay best in their first year, then egg production decreases by about 25% each year. In the best year, the number of eggs may be between 260 and 300 eggs.

I haven't bought any birds this year but I was paying nine quid for POL hybrids last year. I sell my surplus at 1.50, so three dozen eggs pays for the hen (excluding feed costs of course).

Hope thsi helps, but others will have more information and views.

[little blue]

if you want layers then 2 years is getting on abit in chicken years for egg productivity.
having said that, they should still produce a fair few, so it depends really on whats you prefer - a nice family sized production or omelettes every day and twice on sundays!

[Rosemary]

Yes, it's easy to overestimate how many eggs you will actually use, especially one the novelty is over. 

[Glaswegian]

hi.
thanks all for your info.i'll keep it in mind when i'm buying.

                        regards.johnie.