Estimated Life Span of Hen

[Salt and Light]

What is the natural life expectancy of a layer? I have a hen that has just about played out and am curious about how long she MIGHT live.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I did a LOT of searching online on that one. End result; average for a layer was 7-9 years. But there is one that supposidly lived to be 18. Some of the lifespan depends on the breed. This is probably the best site I found.

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

** Found another thread; specifically about EEs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4676248

 

[FrizzlesRule]

May depend on the breed. The two hens I've had live the longest were Polishes, one almost 14 years and the other almost 13 years. Interesting about egg laying through the years. My two Polishes actually laid a few eggs when they were 11 yrs old.

Did have an EE hen that lived almost 13 years and laid about three eggs a week until she was 12 and stated laying at 17 weeks of age.

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

I LOVE the chicken timeline. I've bookmarked it so I can reference it later. Thanks for the link!

 

[Chicken_Lover4567]

My bantam Buff Brahma is actually 16 years old-ish I believe. Far older then 10 I know for sure.

 

[birdicus7]

My last flock of RIR's averaged 8 years old-which was back in the 80's. This is my first flock since then, but almost all were still laying at that age too.