A pullet is a young hen that is under 1 year of age and has not started laying eggs yet. Pullets are fully grown but have not yet reached the age at which they lay their first egg. They are considered teenagers from 4 to 17 weeks of age. Generally speaking, pullets will reach the age at which they lay their first egg, known as the "point of lay," between their 16th and 24th week of age. However, in some cases and breeds, it can be more or less. Once a pullet gets closer to the age at which their breed typically starts laying eggs, they are then regarded as a "point-of-lay" hen. Pullets are only used to describe female chickens, while young males are called cockerels.
When buying chicks, you may come across the term "pullets for sale". Pullets are beyond the chick stage but not yet fully grown. They have adult feathers and are in their first year of laying. There is a further distinction about pullet chickens to know:
- Started Pullet: 16-22 weeks old
- Point Of Lay Pullet: 22 week old hen
- Pullet: 16-52 weeks old
There is, however, a difference of opinions among poultry farmers about the strict definition. Some say that a pullet is a young hen under one year of age, while others say she is a pullet until her first molt, which can actually be up to 18 months or so of age. Regardless, when people use the term "pullet," they are referring to young female hens.
In summary, a pullet is a young hen that has not yet started laying eggs and is under 1 year of age.
