Growth Guide

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1. Egg Stage (0–21 days)

• Duration: About 21 days of incubation.
• Development:
   
  • Inside the egg, the chick develops from a tiny embryo into a fully formed chick.
  • By day 21, it uses its “egg tooth” to pip (crack) the shell and hatch.
• Same for: Hens and roosters — no difference yet.

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2. Chick Stage (0–6 weeks)

• Age: Hatch to about 6 weeks old.
• Development:
   
  • Fluffy down feathers, which are replaced gradually by juvenile feathers.
  • Require a warm brooder (starting at ~95°F/35°C and lowering weekly).
  • Rapid growth, high protein diet needed.
• Behavior: Curious, peeping, learning to eat and drink.
• Differences: None yet—sexing by appearance is difficult at this stage.

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3. Pullet / Cockerel Stage (6–20 weeks)

• Age: 6 to 20 weeks old.
• Terminology:
   
  • Pullet = young female (future hen).
  • Cockerel = young male (future rooster).
• Development:
   
  • Body shape begins to change; feathers become fuller.
  • Cockerels’ combs and wattles start growing larger and redder than pullets’.
  • Cockerels may start to “crow” or challenge each other playfully.
  • Pullets may start showing pre-laying behaviors (squatting, exploring nests).
• Diet: Grower feed with slightly less protein than chick starter.

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4. Adult Stage (20+ weeks)

• Age: Around 20 weeks and older.
• Hens:
   
  • Begin laying eggs at about 20–24 weeks.
  • Comb and wattles are bright red; behavior becomes calmer.
  • Reach full body size around 1 year old.
• Roosters:
   
  • Fully mature by 6 months to 1 year.
  • Develop large combs, wattles, and spurs.
  • Begin crowing regularly and showing dominance or mating behavior.
• Diet: Layer feed for hens (extra calcium); balanced adult feed for roosters.

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5. Senior / Molting Stage (2+ years onward)

• Hens:
   
  • Egg production slows with age.
  • Annual molting (loss and regrowth of feathers).
• Roosters:
   
  • May become less fertile with age.
  • Maintain dominance and protect the flock.