How long does the average chicken live?

[Maryallison77]

Hello everyone! I am new here and I am proud to be here! I have about 20 chickens in the coop and the oldest are just 2 1/2 months old. How long under good conditions can my new friends the chickens live? I have a variety of chickens out there including Bantams, Cochins & Silkies.

Thanks, MARY

 

[Marlinchaser]

Chickens can live for many(16+) years, but the average would be less than a year since most are slaughtered at 2 months or less, and layers are replaced after 1 year.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Just want to add Welcome to the forum.

 

[MissPrissy]

Welcome to BYC. bantymum has a pet hen that is 17 years old.

 

[kellim]

My grandfather had some that were 16 and 17 years old. They were still alive when he passed away and we gave them all away. Don't know if any are still around or not, that was in 2003.

 

[Donza]

Hi All
Wow 16 or 17 that's amazing. My country vet's standard answer to that question is "till the dawgs git 'em" which as long as you can forgive his special sense of humor is kind of accurate because that usually is the cause of most chickens' demise.

I had a very cool little girl who lived in my house, coming in to roost at night thru the kitty door. She did tricks and came to her name and watched TV on our laps - she died a pretty natural death at 8 years and I thought that was a really long time.

Bottom line is that the ones we love don't live long enough and the ones we could do without seem to live forever.

:~D

 

[DDRanch]

Welcome. Would love to see some pictures of your flock.
Anne

 

[Maryallison77]

Hi there! Me Mary again. I am very excited to hear that my chicken could really live that long! Wondering why laying hens only lay for 1 year though??? Is that true?

MARY

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
They will continue to lay, but production egg farms only want them through thier most productive years, so once the egg count drops, the chicken goes, NO EGG/ NO FEED, its cheaper to replace than to feed one that ONLY gives you 3/4 a week instead of 6/7 a week.

Yours will probably last a lot longer, but then again yours will probably see grass/daylight/have room to move, etc..... you know all the things a chicken should see and get to do. But then again your not betting your livelyhood on a chicken laying enough eggs.

 

[Maryallison77]

Oh good! I was getting worried that after the 1st year they would just stop laying!

Thanks for all the info!

MARY