Has Anyone Ever Lost A Chicken To Old Age?

[mtnhomechick]

Just wondering if anyone has had a layer long enough to lose it of natural causes. I have a Red Star that came home a year ago from free ranging with a limp and hasn't laid an egg since.

How long did you ever keep a lovable " Free Loader "? What's the life expectancy of a chicken?

Thanks,

Mary

 

[ChooksChick]

I believe that my girls will stay with me until they go- I have one who has recovered from a broken pelvis who will be with us even if she doesn't lay- she provides love as does my dog...and he didn't provide me with a single egg- ever!!

I have a friend who has an 11 year old hen who still lays once a week. It's wonderful to know they can live that long.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I figure I'll keep my ladies even when they stop laying just for insect control.....

 

[Rusty's Ranch]

The girls and I paid a visit to the bird doctor this week and he shocked me saying a chicken can live 20 - 25 years if kept safe and healthy!! I was thinking 8 - 10 yrs. So if all went well, I'd still have my girls when I'm 75! Yikes

(ok - so now everyone knows my age)

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

We eat ours before they get to die of old age. But we raise animals for food and income. I have a neighbor who has a roo that I know is 7 yrs old. He still won't let me have him

Nice roo.

 

[mtnhomechick]

I'll keep until her good days are done...........she' was a heck of a layer for a year or so......she can get a ticket to ride in this familyl

 

[Buckguy20]

I had a hen die last year that was well over ten years old and she was laying and even raised a clutch of chicks a few months before she died.
There was an article in Backyard Poultry about a woman with a Polish Hens that was 17 or 18.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I have not lost one to old age. Mine will be with me until their last days.