The British Hen Welfare Trust takes a look at the lifespan of chickens – from commercial to pets – and discover a world record holder
How long chickens live depends on a few factors, such as breed, flock dynamics and more. Here, the British Hen Welfare Trust share the inside scoop on chicken longevity…
How long do chickens live?
In general, chickens have a natural lifespan of between 5 and 10 years.
Which chicken breed lives the longest?
Certain breeds tend to have longer lifespans than others; these include Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte and Orpington, while breeds such as Golden Comet and Cornish Cross might not live as long.
Some hen keepers insist that bantam chickens live longer than any other breeds. Whilst unproven, their small size and the fact they are usually kept as pets and therefore individually cared for may help them live to the ripe old age of ten years or more.
How long do commercial chickens live?
Chickens reared in commercial settings have a limited lifespan because of their purpose. Broiler hens (those reared for meat) are dispatched from 28 days to 81 days old with 42 days old being the average slaughter age in the UK, while laying hens are usually culled once they are no longer commercially viable, which is at around 18 months old.
How long do rescue hens live for?
Adopted ex-commercial hens, like those rehomed by the British Hen Welfare Trust, are saved from slaughter at around 18 months old and rehomed as family pets. As these hens have worked hard for the first few months of their lives, some may have shorter lifespans, but many will go on to live – and lay eggs – for many more years in their new homes.
Rescue hens make a great choice because not only are you prolonging their lives and improving the quality of life, but you also get fresh eggs for breakfast.
How long do pet chickens live for?
Chickens kept as pets have the best opportunity to live out their natural lifespan. As mentioned, this can be anywhere from 5 – 10 years depending on breed and provided they don’t succumb to disease or injury.
It is possible for a chicken to live well beyond this, with the Guinness Book of Records reporting the oldest recorded chicken to have ever lived as a Red Quill Muffed American Game called Muffy who lived to the incredible age of 23 years 152 days between 1989 and 2012.
Do hens live longer than cockerels?
Generally speaking, hens tend to live for longer than cockerels. This does, of course, depend on many factors, but one reason this might be the case is that cockerels are more likely to confront a threat rather than retreat, making them vulnerable to a range of hazards.
How can you help pet chickens live longer?
There are lots of ways to help chickens enjoy long and happy lives as pets such as providing well maintained living conditions with plenty of space and shelter and offering a balanced diet. Keeping them safe from pests, predators and diseases is crucial, while company and enrichment is good for their mental stimulation and general wellbeing.
Looking to buy a coop? Check out our guide to the best chicken coops to buy and for inspiration about which hens will best suit your set up, check out our guide to chicken breeds: 12 of the best for beginner keepers.
Read more about chickens
Matt Baker’s guide to choosing the family chickens
The British Hen Welfare Trust is the UK’s largest charity for commercial laying hens. Each year they rehome around 60,000 hens as family pets that would otherwise have been destined for slaughter. They have approximately 1,400 volunteers and almost 50 collection points across the UK. They also have an associate charity in France, Champs Libres aux Poules, which rehomes thousands of commercial laying hens as pets too.
To learn more about chickens, visit www.bhwt.org.uk