Chicken Moon Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Hi I'm new to this site so please bare with me... I have been enjoying reading everyone's posts but have been quite shocked to notice that the average age for a chicken is only 2 to 2.5 years My girls are now 15 months and I'm shocked to learn that they may be half way through their lives, I thought chickens lived about six years am I totally wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 (edited) Hi Chicken Moon, Welcome to the Forum It depends on whether you have hybrids or pure breeds. Hybrids will not live as long (anything from 2 to 5 yearsmax), pure breeds can live up to 9. If your Wyandottes are pure breeds, then they should have many more years to come Edited October 5, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 I think you'll find that hybrids wear themselves out with egg laying by the time they are about 2-2 1/2 ....and pure breeds lay less over the course of a year which is not so exhausting on their little bodies so they live longer.......I'm sure somebody will correct me if that's not totally correct You also have to take into account that they are all different..........they do not read the manuals........some hybrids will live for longer than 2-2 1/2 years and some PBs have a short life for some reason...often unknown to us Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Moon Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 Thanks so much for putting my mind at rest. I've found this site a fantastic source of information and everyone seems so friendly and helpful, i'll be checking in regularly now. Thanks again x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyhen Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Hi chicken moon, We had 2 hybrids 5 years ago. A ginger one who lived to 3 and a half, but only laid eggs for a year, then lots of softies. The other one is a bluebelle style hybrid. (Betty) She was plucked by our puppy who thought she was a feather duster and cost me a huge amount to get repaired by the vet. She is still going strong. She still lays the most enormous eggs every other day and rules our other 5 chickens with a rod of iron.(and chases the dogs and cats)She has an enormous red comb and I have to wash her knickers regularly So I think the age thing may be dependant on the individual chicken. Sue x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 what you have to remember with Hybrids is they were only 'designed' with a shelf life of between 72 -76 weeks after that the commercial sheds replace them. with battery hens some of the less caring sheds have them laying 2 days in one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Hi Can you help me out with a hybrid? I mean i have got silkie x frizzles does that mean that htye are hybrids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 HiCan you help me out with a hybrid? I mean i have got silkie x frizzles does that mean that htye are hybrids? no they are crossbreeds hybrids are usually at least 2nd generation crosses and can be made nearly ever time from a particular formula in most cases a Rode Island Red plus other breed or breeds to get the finished hybrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted October 6, 2009 Share Posted October 6, 2009 Wernlas told me my pure breed Dorking will not even reach full size/maturity until 2 years old! So it is breed specific. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 I have a Miss Pepperpot that is about 5+ years old and still going strong(had two previous owners so unsure of age). She isn't laying at the moment but did lay in spring and early summer this year. So it does vary. I have however warned my boys that she is an old lady in chicken terms . She was always top hen but is now letting the next oldest take over at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Sha is right. But there are always exceptions to the rul; I know of a hybrid, who no longer lays, but is 5 years old and still pottering. Others have been know to shuffle off their mortal coils sooner. One of my pure breeds is 5 and still graces us with the odd egg, others have died much younger. Piece of string question I'm afraid, but generally speaking, hybrids don't last as long as pure breeds/cross breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Generally it's 4 to 5 years. I had a black rock who had to be put down at the age of 2, but Muddles, a bluebelle is 4 and a half and still lays at least 4 eggs a week at the minute. Starlet is a bit younger than her, but barely lays now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 My rescue- broiler- house- post- operative chicken (mouthfull I know ) is 3.5 years old and still lays!! I read that Cochins can live up to 8 years...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Hi I'm new to this site so please bare with me...I have been enjoying reading everyone's posts but have been quite shocked to notice that the average age for a chicken is only 2 to 2.5 years My girls are now 15 months and I'm shocked to learn that they may be half way through their lives, I thought chickens lived about six years am I totally wrong? Just looking at your signature... It's clever how two of your girls laid there first eggs a good few months before they were born! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyhen Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Wow!! Chicken Moon,I`ve just noticed from your signature that your hens laid their first eggs on Christmas day How cool is that!!!! Sue x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
