Estimating the age of domestic fowl ( <scp> <i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i> </scp> L. 1758) cockerels through spur development

Determining the age of bird remains after cessation growth is challenging due to absence techniques such as tooth eruption and wear available for mammals. Without these techniques, it difficult reconstruct hunting strategies, husbandry regimes, wider human–animal relationships. This paper presents a new method, developed from collection (n = 71) known-age specimens domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus L. 1758), assessing based on fusion size tarsometatarsal spur. Using this we demographics Iron Age Early Modern sites in Britain reveal changing dynamics human–domestic We highlight advanced that cockerels often attained their early history how life expectancies have subsequently declined.