Question about Rhode Island Red life span

[stephanielynn]

Due to my job, I work about 8 hours away from my animals who include a small flock of chickens. About a week and a half ago, my husband told me that my beloved Rhode Island Red rooster, Wooster, had passed on. He turned 6 in September and was such a sweet and special boy. Wooster was not a typical rooster. He was a sweetheart and was good to his hens and to people, especially to me.

I know that my husband didn't take care of them as well as I had and do when I'm able to visit but hope that it wasn't due to his or my negligence. I read that the average life span for Rhode Island Reds is 4-8 years, and 6 falls in that range, so I suppose that wasn't bad.

Around Thanksgiving, while I was still overseas, my eldest RIR hen passed on. She was also 6 years old.

Can anyone tell me if that life span is accurate?

Thank you.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

6 years is very good!! So sorry for you loss.

 

[20736]

Yes, 6 is average for RIR in my experience.
He looks happy, and I am sure in chicken Valhalla he is telling stories of how good you were to him.
Like all of us, I to am sorry for your loss.

 

[stephanielynn]

Thank you Willow and 20736. That helps ease some of my guilt and sorrow. Here's another one of my boy and me (summer 2010). It looks like I was handling him roughly but I wasn't. : -) I would always give him kisses on his neck and wattles. : -)

 

[stephanielynn]

Thank you Willow and 20736. That helps ease some of my guilt and sorrow. Here's another one of my boy and me (summer 2010). : -)

 

[stephanielynn]

Sorry - that was supposed to say, "Thank you Willowbranchfarm. That helps. : -)"

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Thanks

 

[blueskylen]

hi, I have 6 hens that i raised from chicks that are all approaching 6 years. no - they don't lay many eggs - maybe 1 a month or so. no - they aren't quite as fluffy and soft as they used to be.
no- they aren't very spritey and lively. But, i do love them and I feel for your loss.