🐔 Hens 8+ Years Old - What Contributed to Their Longevity?

[Elle111]

Yep, chicken spa sounds about right. With a built in maid/servant. Them girls got it made! Lol

Did you ever do necropsies on your chickens that passed? Would be interesting to know their causes of death, since your chickens all reach such high ages.

 

[dirkandlorie]

Did you ever do necropsies on your chickens that passed? Would be interesting to know their causes of death, since your chickens all reach such high ages.

No, I could never have my babies chopped up and taken apart for curiosities sake. I do know Sassy and Mac both had heart attacks and death was instantaneous. Betty just slowed way down and passed in her sleep in my arms. Grace had eyp, she should never have been laying eggs at 10 years old! All those girls were age 10 or over. My 13 year old cochin with mobility issues fell on Bertha and smothered her, she was 9 1/2. the youngest of all my chickens to pass. Mac and Grace were black sex links, Sassy an Easter egger, Betty a gold sex link, Bertha a barred rock, and Heather the cochin. A lot of different breeds, all living long lives. I can't buy into the theory that genetics causes so many to die at 4 or 5 years old when experience shows me otherwise. Was hoping we could find a common denominator in this thread that pointed to why

 

[Elle111]

No, I could never have my babies chopped up and taken apart for curiosities sake. I do know Sassy and Mac both had heart attacks and death was instantaneous. Betty just slowed way down and passed in her sleep in my arms. Grace had eyp, she should never have been laying eggs at 10 years old! All those girls were age 10 or over. My 13 year old cochin with mobility issues fell on Bertha and smothered her, she was 9 1/2. the youngest of all my chickens to pass. Mac and Grace were black sex links, Sassy an Easter egger, Betty a gold sex link, Bertha a barred rock, and Heather the cochin. A lot of different breeds, all living long lives. I can't buy into the theory that genetics causes so many to die at 4 or 5 years old when experience shows me otherwise. Was hoping we could find a common denominator in this thread that pointed to why

 

[Elle111]

It's not just curiosity, it could potentially concern your other chickens. All the breeds you have/had have the reputation of being robust breeds, so I do think that partly determines their longevity. I've had a lot of silkies (just because I'm so fond of them) but a large part of them died of congenital diseases (necropy showed); nothing you can influence with care or feed. But I do agree with you good care can make a huge difference.

 

[BDutch]

. I can't buy into the theory that genetics causes so many to die at 4 or 5 years old when experience shows me otherwise. Was hoping we could find a common denominator in this thread that pointed to why

This is an interesting theory and maybe you are right we should consider ither factors too.

I know a small research (pilot study) with chicks and two types op feed pointed out the chick who got organic feed were healthier. But the pilot was too small to be trustworthy. And the commercial farming industry wouldn’t succeed this pilot bc they didn’t like the results.
(Source : Louis Bolk and TNO research institutes in the Netherlands, Zembla/Vara independent TV broadcasted a documentary about this in my country). They only measured health and growth, not longevity.

 

[dirkandlorie]

This is an interesting theory and maybe you are right we should consider ither factors too.

I know a small research (pilot study) with chicks and two types op feed pointed out the chick who got organic feed were healthier. But the pilot was too small to be trustworthy. And the commercial farming industry wouldn’t succeed this pilot bc they didn’t like the results.
(Source : Louis Bolk and TNO research institutes in the Netherlands, Zembla/Vara independent TV broadcasted a documentary about this in my country). They only measured health and growth, not longevity.

That too is interesting. Never considered organic as a factor, though my girls are fed organic from all the side food I grow and provide. The commercial feed I provide is not. My next group of chickens, Marans are not quite 8 years old yet (2018), not sure if its fair to the new chicks I got this year to raise them differently to see if there's A difference. Interesting though, going to seriously think about it. Already have 3 separated due to them being bullies, so it would be easy to do.

 

[dirkandlorie]

It's not just curiosity, it could potentially concern your other chickens. All the breeds you have/had have the reputation of being robust breeds, so I do think that partly determines their longevity. I've had a lot of silkies (just because I'm so fond of them) but a large part of them died of congenital diseases (necropy showed); nothing you can influence with care or feed. But I do agree with you good care can make a huge difference.

Over the years I've had many different breeds, but never tried silkies or bantams. They look so darn cute though, I can see why you're partial to them. Are they as sweet as they look?

 

[Elle111]

Very! So docile and just very cute. But their genetics are not the best, at least here in the Netherlands. Particularly among the buff/chocolate/blue varieties there's a lot of inbreeding, causing all sorts of problems like leukosis, oviduct deformities etc.
If I do start with chickens again I'm considering orpington bantams. Do you have experience with those?

 

[dirkandlorie]

Very! So docile and just very cute. But their genetics are not the best, at least here in the Netherlands. Particularly among the buff/chocolate/blue varieties there's a lot of inbreeding, causing all sorts of problems like leukosis, oviduct deformities etc.
If I do start with chickens again I'm considering orpington bantams. Do you have experience with those?

Not I, but believe BDutch does.

 

[BDutch]

Very! So docile and just very cute. But their genetics are not the best, at least here in the Netherlands. Particularly among the buff/chocolate/blue varieties there's a lot of inbreeding, causing all sorts of problems like leukosis, oviduct deformities etc.
If I do start with chickens again I'm considering orpington bantams. Do you have experience with those?

You are talking about Silkie I presume?
The Dutch I have don't seem to have inbreed problems. But they are not very docile (good escapers). I don't have bantam Orpies. I do have a bantam RIR and bantam Amrock too. These are much bigger than my Dutch and don't seem to have any inbreed problems either. In the past I had Naine de Tournaisis (Doornikse krielen of schipperskipjes), they were fun but did have health problems getting 4 yo. EYP and sudden death. The RIR is a beggar for food. The bantam Amrocks are very good free rangers (hunters) and were extreme good layers until this autumn (first moult).

Can you add the Netherlands in your profile? : Your account/Account details
Such info is often handy of interesting in converations.