My hen just died -- From what?

[Little Fuzzy]

So sorry, it is sad when we lose our girls but all chickens are going to die, although I thought they lived longer than 5 years.I had one die for unknown reasons at 15 months. Do you use lights to extend their laying in the winter? I've read a lot of those conversations about using light and I'm wondering if we expect too much out of those little bodies. You now get to look forward to some new chicks.

 

[featheredbelles]

@Little Fuzzy I thought they get older, too. No, I never used lights. I'm actually not much of an egg person, lol. I just love chickens. I give most eggs away. She hadn't been laying for months.

 

[GitaBooks]

Some chickens live for 8 or more years. It depends on the individual as well as the breed. Sort of like how some dog breeds live longer than others.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

Interesting I had not thought about the length being related to breed. My Lt. Brahma that just died at 15 months for unknown reasons was a duel egg/meat bird, do you think that is why she died early?

 

[featheredbelles]

The first one was a BSL and now this one an EE.

 

[GitaBooks]

EEs tend to live pretty long from what I've seen, but I guess it depends on the strain and how they were raised (what food, viruses, temperature, ect). Brahmas are pretty big birds, not sure how that affects them but I do know big birds are more prone to hurting themselves jumping around and have more weight on their joints. Black Stars are heavy layers and just like Red Stars aren't likely to live that long, though there are plenty of exceptions for all breeds.
I know someone who had an Easter Egger hen that still laid a few eggs at 7-8 years old!