Chicken life span

[chicksinthemachine]

How long do chickens live?

 

[Cetawin]

The listed life span is around 8 years but some layers burn out early at 2-3 years and others can exceed 8 years. Maybe one of the old hands will give you better info.

 

[Mahonri]

I don't know that I would consider myself an "old hand" but this is one of the best sites I've seen... found it on here somewhere.

http://www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/timelineofachicken.htm

Enjoy.

 

[ibpboo]

I have hens that are 6 years old now, and still lay eggs. My friend had a hen live to be 15 years old, at that age it still laid about a dozen eggs a year.

 

[cjeanean]

According to what I've read they can live up to 20 years. That's an awful long time!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Bantymum just lost her 17 yr old hen...here is a link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=72051

 

[chicksinthemachine]

Thanks everyone definitly will check out those sites.

 

[kstaven]

Quote:
Depends on how mean they are!

But seriously, we have had chickens on family farms go into their teens while others only live to 5 or 6. I have only seen one hen that was laying well into the late teens.

 

[chicksinthemachine]

LOL I got one that may be going to a swap meet or freezer camp if he doesn't change his way!

 

[farmerpalermo]

My wife and I were just having this conversation this evening. Thanks for the info!