Oldest Hen Age and Breed

[Noraaaaa]

My oldest was Sweet Cheeks at 9 years old. She was a barnyard mix, but I suspect silkie and ameraucana due to her purple skin, some tiny feathers on her feet, the muffs, and the shape of her hackles.
She was a sweet, feisty little old lady.
View attachment 4077591

Shes so pretty!

 

[CombNWattles]

I think the oldest I've heard of was 12. the oldest bird I personally owned was a nine year old Australorp, but she died shortly after I got her. I can't really remember, but I think my first chicken was seven or eight when she died. that was years ago now, and was also the day I learned RIR can and will cannibalise the remains of their flock members

I think RIR are the closest chickens to dinosaurs

 

[CombNWattles]

Shes so pretty!

Thank you!

 

[UncleDougsChickens]

I still have 2 from my original (first) flock. 2 eight year old new hampshire reds. They are quite the specimens and don't show their age. One is named "Big Grump". Shes likely too angry to die and I will have her forever.

 

[StinkyAcres]

My Easter Egger, Toasty Bernice, will be 9 years old in May. I don't think she lays eggs anymore but I haven't been able to confirm that. She has arthritis but with the help of supplements is still getting around well. Also have Ladybug the EE and Snowflake the White Plymouth Rock who will be 8 in May and both are currently laying.

 

[rosemarythyme]

was also the day I learned RIR can and will cannibalise the remains of their flock members

They'll all do that if they have the chance, not just RIRs.

 

[Yardmom]

My oldest hen is ten. Her name is MaMa Hen as she was the first of many broodies. We had a rooster we got with her that was taken by a coon 2 years ago at age 8. We bought them as meat birds, but we think they are/were cream legbar mixes. I also. have a 9 year old EE and and 8 year old Delaware. The Delaware raised chicks last year and all 3 laid eggs last year. I have several hens and have not confirmed any of the old girls to be laying yet this season, but all appear healthy.

 

[TwoCrows]

My oldest hen died at the age of 14 years of natural causes, she just faded away quickly one day. She was a Black Australorp, she stopped laying in her 6th year. Incredibly broody all her life which I think lead to her longevity. Several of my Australorps made it to 10+ years.

 

[TexasLisa]

My oldest girl was an Australorp. Mama Tiny was 11 years old. She just died a couple of weeks ago. I raised her from a chick. She taught me a lot about broody hens. We nicknamed her "Bristle Butt" because she came barreling out of the coop all "bristly" when she was broody. Nobody got in her way! She raised her last chicks in 2023.

 

[SilverBirds]

My two oldest hens were both 8 years old when they died. One was Moo, my Barred Rock, who just slowed down and died of natural causes. The other was my Golden Comet Penny, who pretty severely injured her wing and died a few weeks later. I think she may have lived a little longer if it weren't for the injury.