In your flock, what is the average lifespan of your hens?

[FaerieChickens]

I've had chickens now for 11 years, since 2013.

One of my hens, a Hamburg, was hatched in December 2012, before I got my flock and I adopted her May 2013.
One Minorca chick I got in May 2013.
Another one, a Buff Orpington, is from my original batch of chicks of April 2013. She and the Minorca still look quite well, but the sweet little Hamburg has an old-lady chronic molted head.
So right now, my flock has three 4 year olds (still laying!), one 8 year old gal, and three 11-year old hens! I never thought hens would live this long!

 

[Horseladywithchickens]

Had a jersey giant hen die last year. Did sum mor reserch (byc) and found out that they don't do well in the heat and hi humidity down here. Sooo I'm tryin agin but with a different setup. More shade to go with the air flow and added a pan of water in the shade for wading. They all have been in it lol

 

[dirkandlorie]

I've had chickens now for 11 years, since 2013.

One of my hens, a Hamburg, was hatched in December 2012, before I got my flock and I adopted her May 2013.
One Minorca chick I got in May 2013.
Another one, a Buff Orpington, is from my original batch of chicks of April 2013. She and the Minorca still look quite well, but the sweet little Hamburg has an old-lady chronic molted head.
So right now, my flock has three 4 year olds (still laying!), one 8 year old gal, and three 11-year old hens! I never thought hens would live this long!

I have an 11 year old cochin, 10 year old ee, 10 year old black sex link, and the rest of the flock is 7 years old. Everyone but the cochin and ee still lay, strong and healthy. Lost 2 10 year old gold sex links this year, was sad but they lived longer and better lives than most.

 

[MBBuffs]

One buff Orpington lived 4 years and the other died at almost exactly 5 years old. I’ve read they are supposed to live 8+ so I’m wondering how I went wrong.

 

[Mrs. K]

One buff Orpington lived 4 years and the other died at almost exactly 5 years old. I’ve read they are supposed to live 8+ so I’m wondering how I went wrong.

You did nothing wrong except maybe have unrealistic expectations. It should not a competition as to who can get their bird to live the longest, but rather to give them a good life while you have them.

A 4-5 year old bird is an old bird.

 

[dirkandlorie]

One buff Orpington lived 4 years and the other died at almost exactly 5 years old. I’ve read they are supposed to live 8+ so I’m wondering how I went wrong.

4 and 5 years old are not old birds, but it doesn't have to be something you did wrong. Perhaps poor genes from the hatchery you got them from. Try a different breeder next time.You can have healthy happy chickens that live long lives.

 

[MBBuffs]

4 and 5 years old are not old birds, but it doesn't have to be something you did wrong. Perhaps poor genes from the hatchery you got them from. Try a different breeder next time.You can have healthy happy chickens that live long lives.

You did nothing wrong except maybe have unrealistic expectations. It should not a competition as to who can get their bird to live the longest, but rather to give them a good life while you have them.

A 4-5 year old bird is an old bird.

They both had good lives and were well taken care of and protected. The thing is they both seemed healthy and then they each died, but I never knew what they died from. I guess I choose to blame myself for not being a better caretaker because I don’t know what could cause them to pass away.

 

[BDutch]

You did nothing wrong except maybe have unrealistic expectations. It should not a competition as to who can get their bird to live the longest, but rather to give them a good life while you have them.

A 4-5 year old bird is an old bird.

I disagree 4-5 yo is old for a hen. It highly depends on the breed. And probably the feed, the environment stress and many more factors influence the possible lifespan. Its true the chickens that were developed for high production don’t live long. But they die young bc this is the result of inbreeding . They have poor genes for longevity.

Having 2 10+ hens myself, who are still laying and one 11 yo hen I have a different experience than many people with high production breeds. Btw, my oldies are all Dutch bantams.
I did have 2 hens who died at 4 from another breed. Possibly one had EYP and one had a heart attack or stroke.
Most of my chickens died bc of predation. As told only a few died bc of health problems. But none of my chickens died from old age, not yet.

Average age atm is : 11, 10, 10, 7, 6, 4, 1, 1, = 50/8 = 6.25

 

[Jtaranc]

Most of my flock was purchased 4 years ago and theyve started to die off. A few more have water belly too.

 

[dirkandlorie]

I disagree 4-5 yo is old for a hen. It highly depends on the breed. And probably the feed, the environment stress and many more factors influence the possible lifespan. Its true the chickens that were developed for high production don’t live long. But they die young bc this is the result of inbreeding . They have poor genes for longevity.

Having 2 10+ hens myself, who are still laying and one 11 yo hen I have a different experience than many people with high production breeds. Btw, my oldies are all Dutch bantams.
I did have 2 hens who died at 4 from another breed. Possibly one had EYP and one had a heart attack or stroke.
Most of my chickens died bc of predation. As told only a few died bc of health problems. But none of my chickens died from old age, not yet.

Average age atm is : 11, 10, 10, 7, 6, 4, 1, 1, = 50/8 = 6.25

I hear people repeating that production birds die young all the time, but have never had one die before 9 1/2 years old. Most over 10. Yours live long too. Everyone I know personally that had them didn't experience early deaths with them. Is this some kind of urban myth that people just keep repeating? You hear it often enough it must be true? Or maybe the differences in how they're fed/kept? I often wonder about both possibilities when I hear that repeated.