Oldest chicken?

[Welshies]

Curious, why do they die?

Some get worn out. Predators, disease, all run a big risk. It's also expensive to keep a non-laying hen.
Laying, molting, it wears out hens especially high production breeds.

 

[BantyChooks]

Some get worn out. Predators, disease, all run a big risk. It's also expensive to keep a non-laying hen.
Laying, molting, it wears out hens especially high production breeds.

I was talking to Mrs. K specifically; sorry I didn't clarify. I realise what causes death in chooks. 4.5 isn't super old, so I was asking what caused death if she knew.

There is always a cause. Even if it's as simple as just plain running out of gas, so to speak.

 

[Welshies]

I was talking to Mrs. K specifically. 4.5 isn't very old at all.

I wasn't trying to butt in but only to help.

 

[Mrs. K]

Some just do. Sometimes it is a genetic internal defect, that as a chick, the small body, the animal can live just fine, but as it gets older and bigger, it will die. Sometimes a heart defect. Sometimes an internal egg issue. I have never had real expensive birds, maybe those would do better. I have often thought that my winters might age my birds a bit more. Sometimes an accident, disease, or predators.

I keep a flock of birds, I have kept a flock for years and years... but the birds in the flock come and go. I think you can have older birds, many people on here do, but they are not all going to live for a real long time. I think sometimes people get unrealistic expectations.

Mrs K

 

[Mrs. K]

To me, 4.5 years is an old bird, she was a great broody bird, that is why she got to stay. But she was getting stiff, and crabby. I was beginning to think I would have to put her down, when she died.

 

[BantyChooks]

I wasn't trying to butt in but only to help.

Thanks for that. I edited that post to reflect more what I meant, kinda came off as a jerk in the original. Sorry.

 

[BantyChooks]

To me, 4.5 years is an old bird, she was a great broody bird, that is why she got to stay. But she was getting stiff, and crabby. I was beginning to think I would have to put her down, when she died.

 

[red horse ranch]

I agree that most chickens don't live a long life. I still have 11 chickens over 6 years old but it the last 2 months I've had 5 other old ones die. Most of them were 5 or 6. They just get to a certain point and start wasting away. My wonderful 8 year old Aussie just died yesterday. Her 5 year old son (my favorite rooster) died last week.

But all my birds live a very good life. Well fed, warm home and always free ranging. All anyone can do is give them the best life you can and be thankful you had them as long as you did.

 

[RodNTN]

I understand what you are saying, @Mrs. K, some of my girls are picked off by predators, disease, etc. Great point!

 

[leighks]

My intention with asking this question was just to see average lifespan and how old some chickens ended up living until. I don’t expect (but would be thrilled) if my whole flock to reach double digits, just wondering what some healthy, long lived lifespans were from other chicken people, and to celebrate chickens that defy the odds.

I worked as a vet tech for over 18 years, I have seen death in every age group, even with my own pets. I know disease, genetics, and a ton of other factors come into play. I don’t mind housing and feeding “retired” hens (and rooster!) when the time comes, these birds are my pets- this is why I have 6 and not a large flock. Even if I add a few more as the years go on, I probably will keep it under 10. I see them as my pets, not worried about production- that’s just a nice secondary benefit for me.

I’ve read on the internet that there have been chickens to reach age 20! I know you can’t believe everything online, so- in a light hearted fashion- that’s why I asked. I’m curious what are the oldest birds people have had the pleasure of sharing their lives with.