A chicken’s lifespan depends on many factors, including breed, gender, diet, environment, and whether they are raised for meat or eggs.
Lifespan by breed
- Rhode Island Red: A hardy breed that can live up to 8 years
- Sussex: A breed known for good health and longevity that can live 6 to 8 years
Lifespan by gender
- Statistically, roosters live less than hens
- However, a rooster can live as long as a hen if raised in the same conditions
Lifespan by purpose
- Chickens raised for meat, known as broiler chickens, are slaughtered after 40 days to 47 days
- Egg-laying hens are considered “spent” after 18 to 24 months and sent to slaughter
Lifespan by environment
- Chickens raised in the wild typically live 3 to 7 years
- Backyard chickens can live up to 10 years or more
Other factors
- Genetics
- Housing and living conditions
- Access to medical care
- Stress
- Predators
- Pecking order
- Illness
The oldest chicken in the world was a hen named Muffy who lived to be about 22 years old.
Backyard hens that are in good health can live for ten years or more! Naturally, given their superb health, nutritious diet, lack of disease or predator attacks, and sound genetics. The typical lifespan of a chicken is five to seven years. This is merely an average.