On average chickens can live 3-7 years and in some cases they have been known to live up to 12 years. Study done by CHOE Research team 2013 reveals how long chickens live. How long a chicken lives depends on the type of care they receive. The average hen is said to live between 4-10 years whereas the average rooster may live longer than the hens due to the fact that they do not lay eggs which means they do not undergo the daily stress of egg laying. However, in our experience pet chickens who are sheltered from many of the danger's that completely free range chickens are exposed to can live up to 12 years.
A few facts we have discovered are:
Pet chickens tend to be pampered by their owner's who provide them with attention, affection, high quality feed, clean living conditions, fresh air, and protection from parasites, and predator's which results in a happier, healthier chicken that lives much longer than a completely free range chicken or a chicken kept in a tiny cage, battery cage, or dirty living quarters. There have been reports of pet chickens living as long as 31 years.
Factors that determine how long a chicken will live are:
Major factors that determine how long chickens will live depend on whether or not they are protected from or exposed to:
Chickens used for meat:
"The age of chickens used for meat can vary from 6 weeks to 1 ½ years old. Chickens labeled as "Broiler-fryers" are young, tender chicken about 7 weeks old; "Roasters" are older chicken, about 3 to 5 months old; "Capons" are male chickens about 16 weeks to 8 months old" (1).
Broiler chickens kept as pets have a very short lifetime due to the fact that they are genetically altered to gain weight very quickly. Broiler chickens kept alive after 8 weeks of age begin to have serious health issues because their extreme weight gain can cause leg problems, respiratory problems and heart problems. Most broilers will not live longer than 3 months unless they are kept on a strict diet which will stress the bird because they are genetically designed to be hungry all the time.
A few facts we have discovered are:
- Chickens raised in tiny cages do not live as long as chickens who are allowed to roam in a large coop.
- Free range chickens are exposed to more danger's such as predator's, illness contracted from wild birds, and accidents than domestic coop raised chickens or pet chickens.
- Chickens who have access to fresh dirt to bathe in and ingest (helps them to process their food properly) have a tendency to live longer.
- Chickens who do not get fresh air daily and are kept indoors may only live 1-4 years. Chickens need fresh air to prevent them from getting respiratory problems.
- Chickens who live in feces laden coops and hen houses tend to get more parasites and bacterial infections.
Pet chickens tend to be pampered by their owner's who provide them with attention, affection, high quality feed, clean living conditions, fresh air, and protection from parasites, and predator's which results in a happier, healthier chicken that lives much longer than a completely free range chicken or a chicken kept in a tiny cage, battery cage, or dirty living quarters. There have been reports of pet chickens living as long as 31 years.
Factors that determine how long a chicken will live are:
Major factors that determine how long chickens will live depend on whether or not they are protected from or exposed to:
- Predators
- Extreme weather changes
- Illness
- Disease
- Dirty living quarters
- Dirty or green water
- Parasites
Chickens used for meat:
"The age of chickens used for meat can vary from 6 weeks to 1 ½ years old. Chickens labeled as "Broiler-fryers" are young, tender chicken about 7 weeks old; "Roasters" are older chicken, about 3 to 5 months old; "Capons" are male chickens about 16 weeks to 8 months old" (1).
Broiler chickens kept as pets have a very short lifetime due to the fact that they are genetically altered to gain weight very quickly. Broiler chickens kept alive after 8 weeks of age begin to have serious health issues because their extreme weight gain can cause leg problems, respiratory problems and heart problems. Most broilers will not live longer than 3 months unless they are kept on a strict diet which will stress the bird because they are genetically designed to be hungry all the time.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Rev. 2:26
References:
1. Chicken from farm to table.USDA. Retrieved on July 25, 2020. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/chicken-from-farm-to-table/ct_index
1. Chicken from farm to table.USDA. Retrieved on July 25, 2020. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/poultry-preparation/chicken-from-farm-to-table/ct_index
