Chicken Age Chart: Growth Stages Week by Week
A chicken growth stages chart from hatch to adult: week-by-week milestones, feathering, brooder temps, typical weights, point of lay, and what to expect at every age.
Quick answer: Chickens grow in five stages: chick (0-6 weeks, brooder with heat, starter feed), pullet or cockerel (6 weeks-1 year, grower feed, move outside around 6 weeks once fully feathered), point of lay (18-22 weeks, first eggs, switch to layer feed), adult (1-3 years, peak laying in years 1-2), and senior (4+ years, laying tapers, lifespan 5-10 years). Chicks are fully feathered and off heat by about 6 weeks, roughly adult sized by 6 months, and at full weight by 8-12 months.
Use the chart below to see what to expect, and what to feed, at every age.
Knowing what a chicken should be doing at each age takes the guesswork out of raising them. The chart below tracks a standard laying or dual-purpose bird from hatch day to old age, with the brooder temperature, feed, and milestones for each window. Ages are typical ranges: individual birds, breeds, and seasons all shift things by a week or two in either direction. Bantams run smaller and some heritage giants mature slower, but the sequence itself is remarkably consistent.
Chicken Growth Stages Chart
| Age | Stage | What to Expect | Feed | Heat / Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1-7 | Hatchling chick | Sleeps often, learns to eat and drink; covered in down; wing feathers start by day 5-7 | Chick starter (18-20% protein) | Brooder at 95F |
| Week 2 | Chick | Wing feathers filling in; more active, scratching and short hops | Chick starter | Brooder at 90F |
| Week 3 | Chick | Tail feathers appear; mini test flights; pecking order play begins | Chick starter | Brooder at 85F |
| Week 4 | Chick | Back and breast feathering in; awkward half-down, half-feathered look | Chick starter | Brooder at 80F |
| Week 5 | Chick | Mostly feathered except the head; very active, perching on low roosts | Chick starter | Brooder at 75F |
| Week 6 | Chick to pullet/cockerel | Fully feathered; can regulate body temperature; ready to move outside above ~50F nights | Starter or switch to grower | Off heat; move to coop |
| Weeks 7-8 | Pullet / cockerel | Gangly teenage stage; rapid growth; cockerel combs begin to redden | Grower (16-18% protein) | Coop and run |
| Weeks 9-12 | Pullet / cockerel | Sexes clearly distinguishable; flock integration possible once similar in size; juvenile molt | Grower | Coop and run |
| Weeks 13-17 | Pullet / cockerel | Combs and wattles redden and grow; cockerels attempt first crows (12-16 weeks) | Grower; no layer feed yet | Coop and run |
| Weeks 18-22 | Point of lay | Pullets squat when touched, explore nesting boxes, lay first small eggs | Switch to layer feed at first egg | Nesting boxes ready |
| 6-12 months | Young adult | Egg size and rhythm settle; adult weight reached by 8-12 months | Layer feed + oyster shell | Standard adult care |
| 12-18 months | Adult hen / rooster | Peak laying year; first adult molt around 15-18 months pauses laying 6-12 weeks | Layer feed; extra protein during molt | Standard adult care |
| 2-3 years | Adult | Production declines roughly 10-20% per year; eggs get larger but fewer | Layer feed + oyster shell | Standard adult care |
| 4-6 years | Senior | Laying becomes seasonal and sparse; watch weight, legs, and comb color | Layer or all-flock + side calcium | Easy roost access |
| 7-10 years | Elderly | Most hens retired from laying; valued as pest control and flock elders | All-flock feed | Extra winter care |
The two biggest transitions on this chart are leaving the brooder and starting to lay. For the brooder exit, feathering is the real test rather than the calendar: a fully feathered bird holds its own body heat. Our brooder temperature chart covers the weekly step-down in detail, and our guide on when to move chicks outside walks through the transition. For laying, the golden rule is to keep young birds on grower feed until the first egg, since the calcium in layer feed can damage the kidneys of birds that are not yet laying. See the chicken feed by age chart for the full feeding schedule.
Growth Milestones by Age
| Milestone | Typical Age |
|---|---|
| First wing feathers | 5-7 days |
| Tail feathers appear | 2-3 weeks |
| Fully feathered | 5-6 weeks |
| Off supplemental heat | ~6 weeks (mild weather) |
| Move to outdoor coop | 6-8 weeks |
| Sexes distinguishable | 6-10 weeks |
| Integrate with adult flock | 8-12 weeks (when close in size) |
| Cockerels start crowing | 12-16 weeks |
| Combs and wattles redden (pullets) | 14-18 weeks |
| Squatting behavior (lay is near) | 16-20 weeks |
| First egg (point of lay) | 18-22 weeks (16-28 by breed) |
| Roughly adult size | ~6 months |
| Full adult weight | 8-12 months (12-18 for giant breeds) |
| First adult molt | 15-18 months |
| Peak egg production | Years 1-2 |
| Laying largely ends | 6-8 years |
| Typical lifespan | 5-10 years |
Point of lay varies more by breed than any other milestone. Light production breeds like Leghorns and Golden Comets can start at 16 to 18 weeks, while heavy and heritage breeds like Brahmas, Orpingtons, and Wyandottes may wait 24 to 28 weeks. Our point of lay age by breed chart lists first-egg timing for dozens of breeds, and when do chickens start laying covers the signs an egg is coming.
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Typical Weight by Age
The figures below are typical ranges for standard layer and dual-purpose pullets such as Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks, and sex-link hybrids. Bantams run roughly a third to half these weights, broilers grow far faster on their own schedule, and giant breeds finish heavier and later. Use the trend, not the exact number: steady weekly gain matters more than hitting a specific figure.
| Age | Typical Weight (grams) | Typical Weight (lb/oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Hatch | 35-40 g | 1.2-1.4 oz |
| 2 weeks | 100-150 g | 3.5-5.3 oz |
| 4 weeks | 260-370 g | 9-13 oz |
| 6 weeks | 450-600 g | 1.0-1.3 lb |
| 8 weeks | 650-900 g | 1.4-2.0 lb |
| 12 weeks | 1.1-1.5 kg | 2.4-3.3 lb |
| 16 weeks | 1.4-1.9 kg | 3.1-4.2 lb |
| 20 weeks (point of lay) | 1.6-2.1 kg | 3.5-4.6 lb |
| Adult hen (light breed) | 1.8-2.3 kg | 4-5 lb |
| Adult hen (dual-purpose) | 2.5-3.4 kg | 5.5-7.5 lb |
| Adult hen (giant breed) | 3.6-4.5 kg | 8-10 lb |
Chicken Age Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chick | Baby chicken of either sex, hatch to ~6 weeks |
| Pullet | Young female under 1 year old |
| Cockerel | Young male under 1 year old |
| Started pullet | Young female sold at ~15-22 weeks, near laying age |
| Point of lay | A pullet at the age of her first eggs, ~18-22 weeks |
| Hen | Adult female, 1 year and older |
| Rooster (cock) | Adult male, 1 year and older |
| Straight run | Unsexed chicks, roughly half male and half female |
Growth rates are a useful health check at every stage. A chick that lags far behind its hatchmates, a pullet that stalls before point of lay, or an adult that loses weight deserves a closer look for parasites, crowding, or feed problems. For anything persistent, a poultry veterinarian or your local agricultural extension office can help. This chart is educational and complements that hands-on guidance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the growth stages of a chicken?
A chicken moves through five broad stages: chick (hatch to about 6 weeks, when it lives in a brooder and wears down, then feathers), pullet or cockerel (6 weeks to 1 year, the fast-growing teenage stage), point of lay (around 18 to 22 weeks, when pullets start laying), adult hen or rooster (1 year and up, with peak laying in years 1 to 2), and senior (roughly 4 years and older, when laying tapers off but the bird can live to 8 or 10). Each stage has its own feed, housing, and care needs.
When are chicks fully feathered?
Most chicks are fully feathered at 5 to 6 weeks old. Feathering follows a predictable order: wing feathers appear in week 1, tail feathers around week 2 to 3, then back, breast, and finally the head, which is the last spot to lose its down. Fully feathered birds can regulate their own body temperature and no longer need supplemental heat as long as conditions are mild. Fast-feathering breeds like Leghorns finish sooner, while slow-feathering breeds like Cochins and some bantams can take an extra week or two.
When can chicks move outside?
Chicks can move outside at about 6 weeks old, once they are fully feathered and nighttime temperatures stay above roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In cold weather, wait longer or provide safe supplemental heat while they acclimate. Move them into a predator-proof, draft-free coop and continue feeding starter or grower feed. Keep in mind that moving outside and joining an adult flock are separate milestones: integration should wait until the young birds are closer to adult size, and always uses a slow see-but-no-touch introduction.
At what age is a chicken full grown?
Most chickens reach roughly adult size by about 6 months, though they continue filling out until 8 to 12 months. Large heritage breeds like Brahmas, Jersey Giants, and Orpingtons mature slowly and may not hit full adult weight until 12 to 18 months. A bird is generally called a pullet or cockerel until 1 year old, and a hen or rooster after that. Point of lay, around 18 to 22 weeks for most breeds, arrives well before a pullet reaches her final adult weight.
What is the difference between a chick, a pullet, and a hen?
A chick is a baby chicken of either sex, from hatch to about 6 weeks. A pullet is a young female under 1 year old, and a cockerel is a young male under 1 year. Once they pass their first birthday, a female is a hen and a male is a rooster. You will also see 'started pullet' at feed stores and hatcheries, which means a young female around 15 to 22 weeks that is close to laying, and 'point of lay' for a pullet right at the age of her first egg.
When do cockerels start crowing?
Most cockerels attempt their first crow between 12 and 16 weeks, though some start as early as 8 weeks and late bloomers wait until 5 or 6 months. Early crows sound raspy and broken before maturing into a full crow. Crowing is also one of the practical ways sex becomes obvious in a straight-run batch, along with larger, redder combs and wattles by 8 to 12 weeks, pointed saddle and hackle feathers, and thicker legs. Occasionally a dominant hen in a rooster-free flock will crow, so crowing alone is not absolute proof.
How long do chickens live?
Backyard chickens typically live 5 to 10 years, with 8 being a good target for a well-kept hen of a hardy breed. High-production hybrids like ISA Browns and Golden Comets tend toward the short end, often 3 to 5 years, because intense laying strains their bodies. Heritage breeds and bantams commonly reach 6 to 8 years and sometimes beyond. Hens lay best in their first 2 years, then production drops roughly 10 to 20 percent per year, and most stop laying around 6 to 8 years even though they live on as flock members.
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