Lifespan of Pekin roosters

[blackfacesheep]

My beautiful Pekin rooster has died suddenly. He was only about 4-5 years old, always locked up in a secure shed at night, and kept in during extreme weather with his hens. About two months ago, his favourite girl was killed by our dog after squeezing under a gate to tell me it was bed time and I was running late. I wondered if he fretted as he was never as ‘plucky’ after that happened. Do Pekins have as long a lifespan as other breeds?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They have a similar life span of other breeds. 4-10 years on average.

 

[varidgerunner]

Most chicken breeds are fairly defective compared to the original design. Making changes to body styles does things to circulatory efficiency. Breeding for color above longevity does no favors. High Production is seldom a healthy trait. Some breeds have straight up genetic defects as the hallmark of the breed. This is why most chickens have the 4 to 10 year lifespan instead of 20 to 25 like the healthier breeds.

 

[Amer]

Most chicken breeds are fairly defective compared to the original design. Making changes to body styles does things to circulatory efficiency. Breeding for color above longevity does no favors. High Production is seldom a healthy trait. Some breeds have straight up genetic defects as the hallmark of the breed. This is why most chickens have the 4 to 10 year lifespan instead of 20 to 25 like the healthier breeds.

Which breeds live 20 to 25? I'd like to own some of those.

 

[varidgerunner]

Which breeds live 20 to 25? I'd like to own some of those.

Games, especially asils. Longevity is a function of structural soundness and physical fitness. Any game bird would be selected for those qualities for many generations. Selecting for things like the fluffy cuteness factor or high egg production can work in opposition to longevity.