What To Check For When Buying Hens

Whether you are new to keeping chickens or adding to an existing flock, it’s important to know what to check for when buying hens. Making the right choices early on helps ensure your birds are healthy, productive, and a good fit for your setup.

Visit the seller and inspect the hens yourself

Never buy hens without seeing them in person. Visiting the breeder or seller lets you inspect the flock’s living conditions, hygiene, and overall health. Avoid sellers who refuse visits or insist on delivery without letting you view the birds first.

Seeing the chickens up close allows you to spot signs of illness or poor welfare. It also gives you a sense of how the birds behave in their environment, which is a key indicator of health.

Choose the strongest, healthiest birds

Always pick hens that are alert, active, and confident. Avoid birds that appear timid, weak, or isolated. Healthy hens will usually move about with purpose, respond to their surroundings, and hold themselves upright.

Avoid birds that are underweight or bony, especially around the breast. A well-built hen will have a firm, muscular breast area. Thin, bony birds may struggle with illness or be lower in the pecking order, making them more vulnerable.

Signs of a healthy hen

When handling a hen or observing one up close, look out for the following positive signs:

• Bright, clear eyes with no foam or discharge
• Clean nostrils and no signs of sneezing or wheezing
• Well-groomed feathers, unless the hen is moulting
• Clean vent area (backside) with no faecal staining
• Smooth leg scales and no swelling or raised areas
• Feet free of sores, abscesses, or limping
• Comb and wattles that are bright red and full-looking
• No signs of lice or mites under the wings or around the vent

Take your time checking each bird. Parasites can be small and easily missed without a thorough look.

Warning signs to avoid when buying hens

Do not buy any hen that shows signs of illness or distress. Watch out for:

• Lethargy or drowsiness
• Open-mouthed breathing (unless it is unusually hot)
• Fluffed-up feathers while standing still
• Foam or bubbles in the eyes
• Birds separated from the group or appearing withdrawn

Even if only one or two hens in the flock seem unwell, it may suggest a wider problem. Illness can spread quickly, so it is best to avoid buying from that group altogether.

Quarantine new hens before introducing them

Once you have brought new hens home, keep them separate from your existing flock for at least two to three weeks. This quarantine period helps prevent the spread of hidden infections or parasites.

Provide your new hens with separate food, water, and bedding during this time. Monitor them closely for any signs of illness. If they remain healthy, you can begin to introduce them gradually to the rest of your flock.

Buy from a reputable breeder or seller

A good breeder will prioritise the health and welfare of their birds, keep clean housing, and be happy to answer your questions. Reputable sellers often provide basic vaccination information, breed advice, and aftercare tips.

If you are buying hens for the first time, steer clear of unregulated sources such as online marketplaces or social media listings unless you can verify the seller. Stick with established breeders or suppliers recommended by other chicken keepers, local poultry clubs, or animal welfare organisations.

Choosing hens by age: chicks, pullets or older hens?

Knowing the age of the hen you’re buying can make a big difference to your experience.

• Chicks are under 6–8 weeks old and need special care, warmth, and protection. They’re not ideal for beginners unless you’re set up for them.
• Pullets are young female chickens under a year old. These are a great choice, especially when bought at point-of-lay (around 16–22 weeks), just before they start producing eggs.
• Older hens may still be friendly and healthy, but their egg production could already be declining. If you’re buying for eggs, ask how old the hens are and how long they’ve been laying.

How to tell a hen’s age

It’s not always easy, but there are clues:

• Comb and wattles – younger hens have smaller, paler ones that darken and grow as they mature
• Legs – younger birds tend to have smoother, shinier legs; older hens have thicker, rougher leg scales
• Feathers – sleek and tidy on younger hens, often worn or duller on older birds
• Behaviour – pullets can be more nervous, older hens are usually calmer

If in doubt, ask the breeder directly and look for signs of recent or regular laying, such as a clean, moist vent and a well-developed comb.