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Are You Buying A Pullet or Hen? How to Tell the Difference

pullets or hens

With spring just around the corner, many new and experienced chicken keepers will be venturing out to purchase new chicks for the first time or add more chicks to their existing flock.

Some of the most common jargons you will hear when buying new hens: is pullets, hens and point of lay.

If you are new to chickens, how do you know if you have bought a youngster or a ‘senior citiz-hen’? (sorry, couldn’t resist it!)

There are some unscrupulous dealers out there, so the article below is designed to help you see the differences and make good choices with your new girls.

 Pullet or Hen

What is a Point of Lay Chicken?

Before we get started let’s just clarify some terms:

  • Started pullets- a hen that is 15-22 weeks old.
  • Point of lay chicken – a 22 week old hen.
  • Pullet- a hen that is less than a year old.

The point of lay is the approximate time at which your hens should start producing eggs. Hens are not mechanical though, so the point of lay is an estimate only!

Some breeds lay earlier than others- Rhode Island Reds start to lay around 18-20 weeks, Orpingtons can wait up to 28 weeks before they start laying!

You should have some idea of how productive your bird is likely to be in advance.

If you want a good reliable layer you want something like a Rhode Island Red or production breed.

However, it’s important to remember that all hen’s egg-laying rate is affected by variables such as daylight hours, type of feed, and stress, to name but a few things.

Be aware that the hen may not produce an egg for you for a few weeks. The stress of a new home and surroundings can delay things for a bit, so be patient!

It’s actually better for the hen to lay later rather than early. Pullets that start to lay before their allotted time, often suffer from prolapses and other ‘egg machinery’ malfunctions.

Comparing Pullets or Hens 

There are several things to look for when buying any bird. Here are some comparison points between a pullet and a ‘senior citizen’.

Pullets Comb

A pullets’ comb should be bright red and full, not dull, worn, or ‘spotty’.

Comparison Hen Vs Pullet
Note: the comb on the left is a pullet and on the right a hen. Notice how the comb on the right is fuller but paler.

Beak Nostrils of the Pullets or Hens

The beak should be well aligned, not deviated or crossed. There should be no discharge from the nostrils. Any bird with nasal discharge should be avoided.

If the bird is in with the rest of the flock then avoid them all!

Pullets or Hens Feathers

Pullets will have glossy, ‘tight’, good sheen, no broken feathers or bald patches. Check down through the feathers- you are looking for lice or mites or eggs affixed to the feathers.

See the pictures below. Notice how the pullet (left image) has tight feathering whereas the hen’s (right image) feathers are looser.

Eyes

Bright, curious, no deformed pupils. No eye discharge.

Crop

The crop should be golf ball-sized. It should not be pendulous nor should it be empty. Both of these findings can indicate some possible digestive issues.

Pullets Legs Compared to a Hens

In young birds, the legs will be better colored, not faded. No raised scales, legs should feel fairly smooth. Older birds can have swollen joints.

Leg Comparison Hen Vs Pullet
Notice on the left the Pullet’s thin yellow legs and on the right-hand side the Hen’s thicker, pale legs.

A Vent of The Pullets and Hens

This should be clean, pink, bright, and glossy. The vent on an older hen will be pale pink/white/gray and likely dry.

Also, the feathers around the vent should be clean with no poopy material attached.

Compare The Behavior of a Pullet or Hen

Older hens tend to be more docile, less flighty, and all-around wiser. But that’s not always a sure thing. It’s easier to tell a pullet from a hen by both appearances, but also through interaction between the two age groups.

Hens, who have been around for a while, will almost always dominate a young pullet in the pecking order.

If you can, watch the dynamics of the flock you are purchasing from. You can often see the differences in both appearance and behavior.

There are always exceptions to the rule, but chances are, the older lady doesn’t feel like giving up her place in the pecking order. And she’ll let that new spring chicken know it.

General

In general, young birds are energetic and vibrant. They will be curious and ‘busy’. Older hens are slower and more ‘sedate’ in their manner, although many of them do remain curious.

If all birds (hens and pullets) are in a pen together watch the behaviors. Which are the more dominant hens? Is there one or two that are being picked on? What is the flock dynamic like?

If the hen is sitting off by herself, looks ‘fluffed up’ or generally tatty in appearance, you do not want to buy this hen.

She likely has some health issue that you don’t know about and don’t want to share with your flock.

Buying Pullets and Hens from Dealers

Do your homework. Don’t pick up the local flyer and buy from the first person who advertises.

Craigslist can also be hit and miss, again, try to check out the seller beforehand.

Be aware that just because a place has many breeds to choose from, it doesn’t make them a good source.

Ask about their reputation, Google for reviews.

Do you know people who have chickens? Ask around and find out who is a reliable source of pullets.

Go knock on some doors- chicken people are very friendly and love to talk about their birds!

Join a local poultry club/website. Many national sites have local connections – use them to your advantage, ask questions, look up local breeders.

Once You Found a Pullets and Hens Supplier

When you find a supplier, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Have they been vaccinated for Mareks? Any health issues with the flock?

Also, take a look around- is the place clean, tidy or it is messy and filthy? A chicken farm is not a spotless palace, but it shouldn’t look run down and seedy either.

Look carefully at the birds- do they have lice or mites? Are they perky or dull and listless?

Don’t be afraid to walk away if you are unsure. Always try to buy birds during daylight hours so you can fully inspect them. If you are a ‘newbie’ try to take an experienced person with you.

If any of them have the sniffles – walk away! You don’t need unhealthy birds to start with.

I cannot emphasize enough to be very cautious if you decide to buy from an auction. You have limited time for inspection of birds (if at all) and you don’t know any history about them.

Often, the birds will have been ‘sold on’ at several auctions recently with the seller just trying to make money.

This means the birds are highly stressed and have been subjected to all sorts of diseases. My advice is, don’t buy from auctions unless you have a very experienced person with you.

How Much Do Pullets Cost?

This varies depending on many things. Most ‘common’ chickens can be bought for $2-5 each, and you will pay an additional $7-10 for pullets.

You can pay anywhere from $5 to $100+ depending on the breeds you want. The rarer the breed, the more you will pay.

Also, true heritage breeds will cost more from a breeder than a hatchery. Their stock is usually purer and usually more robust.

Without a doubt, you save on feed, bedding, heating, and lighting by buying pullets. The downside is you miss out on the chick’s cuteness factor!

In my experience, I have found that raising my own birds from chicks usually results in friendlier birds, but this may be a coincidence.

Ex-battery Cage Hens

Giving a home to an ex-battery cage hen is a worthy cause, but be aware they will need some special treatment.

Initially, they will be in generally poor health- feathers missing may have been de-beaked, and will likely be very timid.

They certainly can be re-habilitated, but it takes time and lots of effort, and understanding on your part. Many have gone on to provide eggs for their saviors for a few years.

They will cost you time, effort, and money initially, but your reward is far superior in giving them a home. However practically speaking, if you want eggs for minimal outlay, don’t get ex-battery cage hens.

If you already have hens and are introducing new hens to your flock, make sure to read our guide on introducing new hens to avoid any problems.

Pullets or Hens Summary

It really pays to do your homework before buying new birds. Read as much as you can about your chosen breed and its care requirements.

You need to be sure of what you want in a breed and then scout around for reputable breeders.

The vast majority of breeders are honest and helpful; however, there are still some suspect breeders out there.

If you are unsure whether or not to buy the bird(s), trust your own instinct- if in doubt don’t. As hard as it is to walk away, you will be better for it in the long run.

There are plenty of chickens out there so don’t be pressured into buying. Sometimes a breeder will tell you it’s a rare bird and you are getting a good deal.

Occasionally this is true, but more often it’s a ploy to get you to buy the bird in question.

If you can take an experienced person with you to the buy, that would be ideal, especially if they can ‘educate’ you on the birds you are seeing or buying.

An experienced eye can help you avoid making mistakes.

Which breeds of hen will you be buying this spring? Let us know in the comments below.

READ NEXT Chicken Winter Boredom Busters! How to Keep Your Hens Happy During Winter

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Pullet or Hen- How to Tell the Difference

9 thoughts on “Are You Buying A Pullet or Hen? How to Tell the Difference

  1. Looking at one of each of the following types of birds for our first backyard adventure with chickens. I’ve been in MI for 6 months (after living my whole life in Los Angeles) so chickens in the yard are both exciting and terrifying. I’m looking for winter hearty hen with high laying, low noise and easy care.
    * Black Australorp
    * Blue Laced Red Wyandotte
    * Buff Orpington
    Your website has been incredibly helpful. V

  2. We’ve had several varieties of chickens in the past, so my daughter bought some chicks from Tractor Supply this year without me being there. I have no complaints about the company, however rarely are the employees up on the information of the breeds of chicks they sell. So it makes it interesting in guessing our chick’s breed once they mature. Well this year daughter never asked the breed. She just thought they were “cute”(they all are). She also got adventurous and bought two ducklings, also cute. All done on April fool’s day! Then for mother’s day she bought 4 Australorp chicks. So to sum it up, we have a pullet from last year that survived predators and neighborhood dogs, 4 Australorps,and four unknown breeds of chick/ducklings that we are raising. But we have a full happy coop!

  3. What’s a possible cause to my chickens refusing to go into their coop at night? Purchased 2 chicks last August and 1 turned out to be a rooster. He used to be pleasant but has recently started going after me when I enter their run. I hate the thought of rehoming him but he’s starting to scare me. Will I have problems introducing a new bird with my hen once my rooster is gone?

  4. we are retired and won’t be with our flock 7 days a week, however we are getting prepared for food, water and coop to have a secure place for them. We are brand new at this and are planning on Rhode Island reds and Bard Rock. We want to be all prepared before we purchase a flock. Do you think we should invest in pullets the first time

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