Contents: How Long Do Leghorn Chickens Live?
What Is the Average Lifespan of White Leghorn Chickens?
While most commercial operations will cull poultry after 2 or 3 years, backyard chicken keepers usually allow their egg-laying hens to live out their natural life expectancy.
The lifespan of a leghorn chicken is generally between 5 and 7 years. However, there are many factors that can influence how long your chicken lives. Some of these include diet, exercise, genetics, and disease.
Backyard layers 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.
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 with long life expectancies:
| 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 |
What Chickens Have the Shortest Lifespan?
Some backyard chickens are known to have relatively short lifespans in comparison to the breeds mentioned above.
Here’s a look at some of the breeds with short lifespans:
| Breed | Approx. Lifespan |
|---|---|
| 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 |
How Long Does a Leghorn Chicken Lay Eggs?
Leghorns start laying eggs at around 18 to 20 weeks old.
With my Leghorns, I find that they were prolific egg-layers for the first 2 years they produced eggs. Then the production typically decreases by about 10% a year after that.
Although egg production tends to decrease every year, they still produce fairly consistently for about 3 to 4 years. After this time, their egg production significantly dropped.
Conclusion: Are Leghorns Good Chickens?
Leghorn chickens are a popular choice for many chicken enthusiasts.
They’re known for being productive birds that can lay a large number of eggs. They’re also relatively easy to care for, which makes them a good choice for those who are new to chicken keeping.
However, there are some downsides to owning Leghorns. They can be rather loud and active birds, which may not be ideal for those who are looking for a calm flock.
Additionally, they can be prone to feather pecking if they become bored or stressed. Feather pecking is a behavior that can be seen in chickens where one chicken pecks at the feathers of another.
However, Leghorns make good chickens for those who are looking for a productive bird that is relatively easy to care for.