What is the average life span of a chicken?

[firehog]

I love my chickens to pieces and the older girls are now in their sunset years as far as egg production goes and most "outsiders" say, why spend money on feed, just stew them. I just couldn't do that to my old ladies who are more pets than a "squeeze every nickel out of 'em" farm animal. So, I will let them live out their life span but was curious what that generally is? I do spoil them, even put an electric heater in an insulated nice coop when it gets into the teens, so they live a comfortable life which probably extends their lives. I've been told the span is around 5-8 years? Is that a pretty accurate guess? Thanks.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

That's pritty accuate, depending on breed. I have heard of some that have lived upwards of 18 years though.

http://www.freewebs.com/professorchicken/timelineofachicken.htm

 

[Imp]

Well the potential is 20 years, but that is rare.
If you read the predator and emergency sections of BYC you'll guess maybe a few days.

It's just a guess, but average I'd say 3,4,5 years

Imp

 

[Chicken Lass]

My bantam rooster Mario is about 13!

 

[Blue]

I think breed may play into lifespan as well. I think some bantams, such as Old English Game, have an average lifespan of 10 - 15 years. I'm not sure, but it may be that bantams, in general, tend to live longer than standard-sized breeds. I know that this is the case with dogs, where smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds, but I'm not certain if it's the same with chickens.