CharLeila Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Hi all, I first got my girls in December '09 and still have my Gingernut Ranger. she is the only one left from the original flock and still going strong; producing the largest eggs of all my 5 girls. How long are they supposed to live for? Also, just out of interest, who has/had the oldest hen? Mine is obviously Gingernut who is 3 1/2. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Dav Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Doris, a Calder ranger, I got in April 2006 - she no longer lays eggs, she has trouble getting up and down steps, and waddles more then ever but she is still the matron of the 10 girls and takes no messing from the other girls. When it is time to go to bed, she lets me know and like a fool, I go out and lift her up into the . Although I have lost a few girls over the past seven years due to illness, I must be doing something right to have had Doris the past 7 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I'm in Australia at the moment (Melbourne) and I've been reading about chickens aged 16,17 and even 20! They are ISA Browns in the two articles I've just read. I don't know if it's a tall story, or if they really do live longer in warm climes like this, but the longest lived chickens I've heard about in the UK are around 7-8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Got mine at 6 months in February 2008 = still laying like mad - just have the two left. so they are almost 6 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I'm so impressed by these aged matrons Just goes to show that hybrids don't all have short lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 One of my ex-batts was 5 and a half when sadly she was killed by a fox in our only ever fox attack - actually she survived the attack but had to be PTS as her injuries were not survivable. Even the vet was distraught that a bird who had overcome her hard start to life had died in such a way - she was laying right up to the end - goodness knows what age she would have been had she survived! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 My eldest is Anna, who is a Buff Orpington (pure breed). She and her sister joined our flock on 15th November 2008 at 7 months old (hatched 22nd April 2008). Sadly her sister had to be PTS after developing a prolapse in late 2009, but Anna is still going strong and is 'top chook' in my flock. This is Anna soon after I got her in 2008 Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 She's lovely. We need a 'now' picture too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 She's lovely. We need a 'now' picture too It's not quite 'now', but this was taken last year after the chooks (lead by Anna!) launched a raid on my veg patch! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Oh aren't they lovely. She does not look a bit older either. Maybe the veg they are getting is doing them good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I have a Speckledy who is coming up for 6 years old! She doesnt lay anymore but is still top chook! Chicken Shirl (who lives in Tenerife) has a hen who must be about 10 now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
