Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: princesspoultry on January 07, 2009, 20:12

Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: princesspoultry on January 07, 2009, 20:12
Just wondering....How long do chickens live? My oldest hen just died at the age of 4 which I thought was pretty young.....?
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: poultrygeist on January 07, 2009, 20:55
Hi princesspoultry.

I think it depends whether it's a hybrid or pure and bantam have shorter lives I think.

Apparently pure breeds live longer but are less productive. The hybrids I think average about 4 or 5 so prob not a bad life.

Rob 8)
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on January 07, 2009, 20:55
I had heard about 5-8 years but have heard of hens living much longer.
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Foxy on January 07, 2009, 21:54
Met an ancient cock (cochin) the other day, he was 11years old and such a sweetie! :D
Title: Thanks!
Post by: princesspoultry on January 07, 2009, 22:45
OK,Thanks everyone!

                                                      Princess Poultry
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Bodger on January 08, 2009, 07:44
I've had particular favourites go into double figures.
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Spadefighter on January 08, 2009, 11:32
My friends sister has a hen she has kept for 14 years, it looks a bit like Iggy Pop with more feathers!
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: jubilee on January 08, 2009, 12:55
I have a excheque leghorn cock , he will be nine years old this year, still looks fit and holds his own with the youngsters.
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: karlooben on January 08, 2009, 17:52
wow some really old birds  :shock:  i dont really know how old mine are  , but some are geting really yellow legs and i am sure i have read thats a sign of them getting ready to lay so i assume they are young.
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: princesspoultry on January 08, 2009, 19:16
Now that we are on the subject of older birds.... Do hens eggs tend to get a little blooming as they get older? My hens eggs taste fine but are not the best looking compared to when they were younger. (Their ages are from 3 to 4) I know that in egg factories they butcher them at the age of 2.
                                 Thanks,
                                                        Princess Poultry
Title: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Vember on January 08, 2009, 19:18
I've got a couple of 5 year olds and never had that problem PP :?


Sarah :)
Title: Re: How long do chickens live?
Post by: Snowy Howells on January 08, 2009, 19:42
Quote from: "princesspoultry"
Now that we are on the subject of older birds.... Do hens eggs tend to get a little blooming as they get older? My hens eggs taste fine but are not the best looking compared to when they were younger. (Their ages are from 3 to 4) I know that in egg factories they butcher them at the age of 2.
                                 Thanks,
                                                        Princess Poultry


Egg quality does deteriorate with age, so you get a higher incidence of blood spots, meat spots, thin shells, deformed shells, thin whites etc. They are still fine to eat, but it is one of the reasons why the commercial sellers cull hens after 18 months.  :( Having said that I have a 4 year old who still lays perfect eggs!  :lol: I usually crack eggs into a small bowl first, rather than straight into my cooking, just in case!