Article Summary
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In raising and keeping chickens, there are always special and loved feathered friends that we want to ensure a long and happy life.
They become like family and we often find ourselves curious about their lifespan and eager to know just how many years they will live.
The lifespan of backyard chickens, farm chickens, and wild chickens can vary from weeks to years, a backyard chicken can live longer than a wild and farm chicken.
This article highlights the lifespan of different chicken breeds, which is essential for choosing the right breed for your backyard or flock.
Let’s get started.
Lifespan of Backyard Chickens
The lifespan of chickens depends on several factors, as genetics plays an important role in the lifespan of chickens, as some chicken breeds are naturally able to live longer than others.
Further, the quality of care that you provide to your chickens including nutrition, housing conditions, environment, and healthcare, can greatly impact the lifespan of chickens.
Some other reasons are stress levels, harsh conditions, and exposure to predators, climate change also contributes to determining how long a chicken lives.
By providing them with a safe and comfortable environment, proper nutrition, and regular veterinary care, you can ensure that your feathered friends live for a solid 5 to 10 years or more.
Lifespan of Hybrid Chickens
Hybrid chickens are the result of crossing two or more breeds for desired characteristics and qualities in one chicken.
Hybrid chickens are more susceptible and prone to reproductive issues because they’re bred for high egg production at the cost of their health.
They are fast-growing chickens and are bred for high production rates. The toll of fast growth and high production demands a lot from these chickens which reduces their lifespan.
Hybrid chickens have the shortest lifespan of approximately 3-5 years, but they also live longer or shorter than that.
Lifespan of Backyard Chickens in Captivity
Backyard chickens and chickens in captivity usually refer to the same thing. They are domesticated chickens that are kept by people for purposes like egg/meat production, pest control, or as pets.
The lifespan of backyard chickens in captivity is also from 5 to 10 years with proper and balanced care.
Lifespan of Backyard Chickens in the Wild
The lifespan of backyard chickens in the wild is about how long chickens would survive if they survived without human care and relied solely on their own.
If they live in the wild without people’s care, their lifespan would likely be quite shorter than in captivity or backyard.
As in the wild, they would face many problems like predator attacks, diseases, and environmental hazards, which could reduce their lifespan.
The lifespan of backyard chickens in the wild is significantly shorter than a backyard or captive chicken, wild chickens survive for around 3–7 years or less.
Lifespan of Chickens in Farms?
Chickens raised in farms typically have a lifespan of weeks to years as they are just raised for eggs and meat production.
They provide food, shelter, and veterinary care to ensure their health and well-being, and once they reach maturity, they are harvested for meat.
On the other hand, chickens that are raised for egg production are kept longer than the meat ones.
Chicken that is raised for meat production can live around 6–8 weeks, and the one which is for egg production they kept for 1—2 years.
How long do Chickens Live as Pets?
As pets chickens get more proper care than other chickens so their lifespan is longer than other chickens.
However, factors like breed, climate, and environmental conditions can positively or negatively affect the lifespan of a pet chicken.
Pets chickens on average live about 10 years, some chickens have been recorded as living into their teens or even twenties with proper care and attention.
How Long Do Chickens Live on Average?
On average chickens live between 5–10 years, with a balanced diet, a safe environment, and overall health care.
The lifespan of backyard chickens is also 5–10 years with proper care, a safe environment, and proper attention.
Farm chickens raised for meat live 6–8 weeks, while one kept for egg production can live 1–2 years and wild chickens generally live between 3–7 years, as they face harsh conditions.
Lifespan also depends on various factors such as breed, climate, environmental conditions, and overall health.
Chickens that Have Longer Lifespan
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Heritage Chickens
Heritage breeds must originate from parent and grandparent stock officially recognized by the American Poultry Association before the mid-20th century.
All new and modern chicken breeds have been created from heritage breeds. Some common heritage breeds are Australorps and Rhode Island Reds.
Heritage chicken breeds are slow-growth birds, hardy, good foragers, and perfect for backyard conditions.
They also have longer lifespans than most other chickens breed, they can live for 6-12 years.
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Dual-purpose Chickens
Dual-purpose chicken breeds can be heritage or hybrid and are valued for both meat and egg production.
Dual-purpose breed chickens grow at a normal rate and mature more gradually compared to production hybrid breeds.
The average lifespan of a dual-purpose chicken is normally around 6 to 8 years, which is a good lifespan.
Examples of dual-purpose hybrid chicken breeds include Black Stars, Austra Whites, and Sapphire Gems.
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Landrace chickens
Landrace chickens are domestic breeds adapted to specific regions and have unique traits like disease resistance and foraging skills.
Landrace chicken breeds also have the longest natural lifespan, they can live over 10 years with proper care.
Examples of landrace chicken breeds include Icelandic chickens, Hedemoras, Swedish Black Hens, and Swedish Flower Hens.
Chickens are known for their relatively long lifespans:
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Name |
Lifespan |
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Old English Game Fowl Chickens |
15 years or more |
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Plymouth Rock |
10—12 years |
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Wyandotte Chickens |
6—12 years |
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Orpington Chickens |
8—10 years |
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Cochin Chickens |
8—10 years |
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Jersey Giants |
7—10 years |
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Australorp |
6—10 years |
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Silkie Chickens |
8—9 years |
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Easter Eggers Chickens |
5—8 years |
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Rhode Island Red Chickens |
5—8 years |
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Bantam Chickens |
4—8 years |
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Cornish Cross |
5—8 years |
Chickens that Have Shorter Lifespan
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Hybrid Chickens
Hybrid chickens grow fast and are bred for high productivity. However, the fast growth rate and high production can take a toll on a hen’s body shortening her natural lifespan.
Hybrid chicken breeds typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years, the shortest among domestic poultry, due to increased strain on their bodies.
Examples of hybrid chicken breeds include Isa Brown and Cornish Rocks.
Chickens that are known for their short lifespans:
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Name |
Lifespan |
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White Broilers |
5—7 years (harvested at 5—7 weeks) |
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Isa Browns |
2—3 years |
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Golden Comets |
4—5 years |
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Leghorn |
4—6 years |
Chicken Lifespan and Chicken Productivity
Chicken lifespan and productivity are two different things; a chicken may have a long lifespan but a short productive lifespan.
A chicken’s productive lifespan is when it lays the most eggs, for many chicken breeds, this lasts about 2 to 3 years.
Dual-purpose and heritage chicken breeds have a longer productivity lifespan, but they don’t lay as many eggs as frequently as production breeds during this time.
Do Hens Live Longer Than Roosters?
Yes, hens live longer than roosters even if they are the same breed or by the same parents.
Reasons that shorten the rooster’s lifespan:
- Roosters are noisy and are typically culled in suburban areas where their crowing can disturb neighbors.
- Roosters are often targeted by predators due to their flashy appearance and their crucial role in protecting the flock.
- Hens can coexist and roosters tend to fight, especially when outnumbered by hens. To prevent serious fights, many owners choose to butcher and separate them.
Several Factors Influencing the Lifespan of Chickens
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Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is important for maintaining a chicken’s health and longevity. Poor nutrition can lead to health problems and a shorter lifespan.
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Genetics
Genetic factors play a significant role in determining a chicken’s lifespan. Birds with strong genetic backgrounds tend to live longer and healthier lives.
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Stress Level
Stressful conditions, such as overcrowding, excessive noise, or aggression from other chickens or humans, can negatively impact a chicken’s health and shorten its lifespan.
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Healthcare
Regular veterinary care, checking for signs of illness, vaccinations, and parasite control are important for ensuring a chicken’s well-being and extending its lifespan.
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Gender
The gender of chickens also contributes to their lifespan like hens live longer than roosters as roosters face many harsh conditions.
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Overall Caring
Proper caring of chickens can increase their longevity and productivity and not proper caring can affect their lifespan.
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Living Conditions
The quality of a chicken’s living environment greatly impacts its lifespan, a safe and clean coop with proper ventilation and protection from predators promotes good health and longevity.
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Breed Influence the Lifespan of Backyard Chickens
Different chicken breeds have different lifespans, some breeds are known for their longevity, while others have shorter lifespans.
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Predator Attacks and Accidents
Protection from predators and accidents is vital for keeping chickens safe to help minimize risks and contribute to a longer lifespan.
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Climate Changing
Extreme temperatures and weather conditions like heat stress and frostbite to chickens can affect chickens’ health and survival.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a backyard chicken or chicken in captivity can live for 5 to 10 years with proper care, a balanced diet, and a comfortable environment.
Genes and breed are two of the important factors that play a crucial role in the chicken’s lifespan and productivity.
Heritage chickens, dual-purpose breeds, and landrace chickens generally have longer lifespans than hybrid chickens.
Have you ever raised the longest-lifespan chicken? Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and concerns with us. We are here to assist you.
FAQs – Lifespan of Backyard Chickens
How long do chickens lay eggs?
Chickens generally begin laying eggs at 5 to 6 months of age and peak egg production occurs in the first 2-3 years.
How long do chickens live as pets?
Pets chickens on average live about 10 years, some chickens have been recorded as living into their teens or even twenties with proper care and attention.
What to do with old laying hens?
This depends on you and the situation, you can retire them from production and keep them as pets so they live their remaining life comfortably without responsibilities, you can also butcher them for meat or just leave them to contribute to your flock.
How long do chickens live in the wild?
The lifespan of backyard chickens in the wild is significantly shorter than a backyard or captive chicken, wild chickens survive for around 3–7 years or less, as they survive without human care and face many problems.
How long do chickens live on average?
What is the average lifespan of a chicken?
On average chickens live between 5–10 years, with a balanced diet, a safe environment, and proper health care.
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