What age do chickens live up to?

[WannabeChickenOwner]

I read that people had chickens up to the age of 20 and then I read this.
That the longest living chicken lived until 16.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matilda_(chicken)#World.27s_Oldest_Living_Chicken
whats up with that?

 

[justbugged]

I read somewhere that they live to be about 12 years old. But I would think that there will always be an exception to the rules.

 

[LarryPQ]

Plenty of people have older chickens, but it doesn't mean Guiness came out to verify their ages. Plus, how would the average Joe prove it? I take pictures of my chicks hatching, but who's to say this rooster used to be that (time-stamped) chick?

 

[justbugged]

Most chickens never live beyond 8 weeks. It is just the chickens that are pets that live much longer.

 

[kari_dawn]

we had a buff orpington that lived to the age of 17 before we rehomed her (we moved overseas, and she couldn't come with). She was twelve pounds, grew spurs, and still layed eggs.

 

[WannabeChickenOwner]

I didn't even think about that

 

[spacecowgirl]

Quote:

Wow!! She still laid eggs at 17?? Surely just one or two a year, right?

 

[Lothiriel]

Wow.. My Henny is 6 and it's good if I get 1 or 2 eggs a year from her! I can't imagine a 17 year old hen still laying eggs... What breed??! Buff Orp? Hmmm.. Henny's a Black Australorp.... We'll see how long she keeps it up.

 

[kari_dawn]

She was a buff orpington...one of the best birds I have ever known. On a good week, we would get two out of her. That adds up to more than just one or two a year though....probably should have bred her lmao.

 

[GLBRWyans]

Quote:
Wow , that means my kids will inherit my chickens . lol