life expectancy of chickens

[evergreen1]

Anybody knows how long can chickens and roosters live? anyone on here has chickens that are over 5 years old?

 

[aoxa]

I've heard of one girl who has a rooster that is 13 years old. My oldest chicken is 5 years. I haven't had them long enough to reach 13

 

[delisha]

My oldest chicken is 7. I only keep them if they are producing. If she keeps producing I will let you know. She still lays 5 eggs a week. She slows down twice a year and is approaching her winter slow period. She will probably slow to an egg a week through the winter. She is a Buff Orpington cross. she looks her age, and she is in full molt and still laying every day. I would love 5 more like her.

 

[EggGardener]

We have a 5 1/2 year old Light Brahma hen. She's still active and laying. Our backyard flock is small, but in thinking of it, I've never lost a chicken to old age.

They free range & my losses have been from injury (dog attack, she lived a year after it but was never the same), or predators (raccoons and foxes mostly). The Light Brahma sticks close to home, which helps explain her 'luck.'

 

[donrae]

I've had hatchery birds in the 7 year range. They were quite healthy and did lay eggs, not a ton but did still lay. I gave them away because my entire flock was aging and I was spending too much on feed for the return I had.

I had some hatchery roosters also make it to 7 years or so. I have to say, older roosters are such gentlemen!

 

[aoxa]

I've had hatchery birds in the 7 year range. They were quite healthy and did lay eggs, not a ton but did still lay. I gave them away because my entire flock was aging and I was spending too much on feed for the return I had.

I had some hatchery roosters also make it to 7 years or so. I have to say, older roosters are such gentlemen!

I definitely agree! The older the better

They aren't as randy, and really take care of those girls