[Julia TE]

I hardly dare or like to ask - but how long are my five hybrids (brown) likely to lay for, and live for?

[Sassy]

hybrids usually only lay for about 2 years but lay very well. This wears them out and they don't live as long. I don't know what the average age is but mine all died before they were 3. But they had very happy and natural lives compared to being in a battery set up

[Julia TE]

Thank you.  It's not something to dwell on but I thought at least I had better know when to be prepared.  You are right - they are good layers and I've had eggs throughout the winter, although more 3 or 4 rather than the full 5.

[Foxy]

The average age of a chicken is round about 6 years. I have a few around that age and an old pekin, who is ancient now
A friend of mine has a cockerel  called  Barry White who is 15, and bless him is just going off his legs now.

[too many girls]

my ex barn hens are coming up to 3 and a half years old, some of them lay........ most of them don't, when my dad winged (he only had 2 eggs for his lunch instead of his usual 3) he said "you'll have to go back and get some more" i jumped at this unusual offer of allowing me to get more hens and said " ooh yes, that's a good idea" to which he replied "only kidding, don't you dare"
just got to explain to him how my finger accidently slipped on "bid now" hatching eggs from e-bay................
well, he said i couldn't get more hens, he never said anything about eggs
he did ban me from incubating, but that was last year and i think it's run out now