Chicken Longevity

[texas_chick]

We are pet lovers and I am guessing our chickens will be here until they die of a heart attack. But I still want eggs in a few years so I thought I just start with 4 chicks and then when they retire in 3 years or so I can get 3 more, etc.

Does that sound reasonable?
I read somewhere chickens live to be about 10 years. Is that normal.
Of the 4 chicks on average how many will still be alive in 3 years, 6 years, etc?

Should I get more to start out with?
I just don't want to have more than 6 or 7 at any one time. But I also don't want to have just retirees and no eggs!

 

[coffeemama]

I don't know how long your will live, but my 14 1/2 year old hen just died this winter. I had an 11 year old hen that was stolen-not sure how old she would have gotten.

 

[jjthink]

I am so sorry that your hen was stolen - what a rotten egg whoever did that. Poor thing

The lifespans vary so much it is hard to say. I had a perfectly healthy looking and acting hen who died of a heart attack before her 2nd birthday - it was heartbreaking. Yet my roo is somewhere around 8 and going strong

JJ

 

[apukanski]

Do they still lay eggs after 5 years?

 

[Master S.M.C]

Sorry about your hen as well, they usually live 10-15 years. Can live longer if extremely well kept.

 

[Master S.M.C]

Quote:
They will lay up to 7 or 8 years, but each year the amount layed decreases by 20 percent.

 

[texas_chick]

Quote:
Yes, when do they stop laying?

 

[texas_chick]

Thanks Master (hm that sounds weird),
I posted my question when you posted your answer!