[sussexchook]

what is the average life span of a light Sussex she was the first hen I got around 2 years ago and I don't know how old she was when I got her all I know is that she was already laying

[ANHBUC]

I don't know the answer regarding life expectancy but she will have come in to lay at anything from 5 to 12 months old.  It sometimes depends on when they are hatched and if they lay before the winter arrives.  My Black Rocks are 2 years and 9 months old but still look young and are laying well.  My Bovan Goldline is around 3 years old and has been laying really well until earlier this year.  She had a break over winter, then started laying again, then a few soft shelled eggs and stopped laying again.  I thought that was it but she has started to lay again and the shells are really strong again.  I don't think there is any definitive answer.   

[Sassy]

I agree with ANHBUC. Chickens are like sheep when they've got to go they just go. I am sure there are folks on here with chickens, including Light Sussex that will be 7, 8, 9 years old, but many will not make that age

[sussexchook]

thanks for the info guys il just keep wondering then lol

[Spana]

yep, I've got some real OAP's. Think my oldest LS must be 6-7 years. Dorkings and Cornish Game even older and some of the tiny banties are over 10 and still look like spring chickens

[sussexchook]

are they still laying though lol?

[Spana]

are they still laying though lol?

No, of course not, but it doesn't matter. They're old friends. 

[Beano]

I have two retired old ladies. The white one is as blind as a bat but manages to feed by following the others VERY closesly (hearing OK) and pushing them off when they are at the feeder. The other one is a lovely raven/black lady who manages to jump up on the perch every morning, points in the grumpy neighbour's direction and crowes cockerel like in the loudest voice she can muster. I have had them for 5 years, got given them by my brother who had them for 2 years and had inherited them when his neighbour died. So they are at leas 7 years old. They are such charecters and I love them to bits.

[Anndee]

Hi Beano. Your blind white one sounds like she is a very clever girl.
Does anyone have a clue how long Pekin bantams and Wyandotte bantams are likely to live for??

[ANHBUC]

Hi Beano. Your blind white one sounds like she is a very clever girl.
Does anyone have a clue how long Pekin bantams and Wyandotte bantams are likely to live for??

Now where did I put that piece of string and how long was it?!!!   

[Beano]

She's (Buttercup) a right little madam. She's worked out the sound of the others having a dustbath and will barge in deliberately trampling over them. If that doesn't work, she'll stand over them and peck aimlessly making the occasional connection, which usually gets her some space to join in.
It's quite funny if she's the first out in the morning she'll cause a que due to her cautious decent down the ramp. If the other old lady (Poppy) is behind her, she gets head butted in the backside to speed her up.

[ANHBUC]

I see they have all been to have their hair done especially for the photo shoot.