Contents: How Long Do Chickens Live as Pets?
How Long Do Chickens Live and Lay Eggs?
While most commercial operations will cull their flock after 2 or 3 years, backyard chicken keepers usually allow their egg-laying hens to live out their natural life expectancy
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The average lifespan of a pet chicken is around 8 and 10 years.
However, there are many factors that can influence how long your chicken lives. Some of these include diet, exercise, genetics, and disease.
Backyard chickens that are well cared for and have access to good, nutritious food and clean water tend to live longer than those that do not.
Also, raising chickens with a spacious chicken coop and run (Amazon) where they can stretch their legs and flap their wings, and where they can stay safe and away from predators, will help them live a long and healthy life.
Can Chickens Live 20 Years?
There have been alleged reports of chickens that have lived up to 20 years old
but it’s never been certified by the book of Guinness World Records.
Although, there was a little Red Pyle hen named Matilda that is known to have lived 16 years, and that information was certified.
Unlike most hens, Matilda didn’t lay eggs. Veterinarians explained that her lack of egg production was probably a contributing factor to her exceptionally long-lasting life of 16 years.
So, 16 appears to be the maximum lifespan for chickens at this time
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What Breed of Chicken Lives the Longest?
There are many different breeds of chickens, each with its own lifespan. However, there are a few breeds that tend to live longer than others.
Here’s a look at the approximate lifespan of different chicken breeds:
| Breed | Approx. Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Barred Plymouth Rock | 10 – 12 years |
| Wyandotte | 6 – 12 years |
| Lohmann Brown | 10 years |
| Cochin | 8 – 10 years |
| Orpington | 8 – 10 years |
| Australorp | 6 – 10 years |
| Jersey Giant | 6 – 10 years |
| Ancona | 8 to 9 years |
| Silkie | 7 – 9 years |
| Ameraucana | 7 to 8 years |
| Barnevelder | 8 years |
| Sussex | 8 years |
| Marans | 8 years |
| Hamburg | 8 years |
| Rhode Island Red | 8 years |
| Brahma | 5 – 8 years |
| Leghorn | 5 – 7 years |
| Bantam Breeds | 5 – 7 years |
| Easter Egger | 4 – 7 years |
| Golden Comet | 4 to 5 years |
| Isa Brown | 2 – 4 years |
Conclusion: How Long Do Pet Chickens Live?
Birds that are free-range or live in natural environments often have longer life expectancies than those kept in cages or confined spaces.
Pet chickens can live for a relatively long time if they are well-cared-for and have access to plenty of quality food and fresh water.
So, if you’re thinking about keeping poultry as pets, it’s important that you’re prepared for an 8 to 15-year commitment
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