How Long Do Chickens Live & Will I Cry When They Die?

My chickens are approaching 3 years old now, and when I asked the farm where I get my chickens from how long do chickens live; I was told that their life expectancy was only 3 years. 😢 So will I cry when they die?

It's winter here in the North, and my chickens have stopped laying eggs completely. This is the first time in almost 3 years this has happened.

I've had winters in the past where the egg production has gone from a steady 4-a-day to 2-a-day but never 0-a-day. 4 a day is what I wrote about when I calculated how many chickens you need to be self sufficient last year.

At the same time, I've noticed that all 4 of my chickens are looking a little bedraggled, with feathers falling out and laying all over the garden.

Feathers in the garden are always a worry because the first thing you think of is an attack; had my chickens been attacked?

With no signs of attacks by predators; could one of my chickens be pecking at the others? This would seem odd, according to Durham Hens where I bought my chickens, that after almost 3 years of living together, one would start attacking/pecking the others.

By then, the pecking order had already been established so it would be unusual for this to be the case.

But no, after speaking with Durham Hens, it turns out that it's just a natural process that occurs from time to time as chickens let go of their feathers for a new season. Although, it did make me wonder why they were doing it in the winter?!

If you're going to shed your feathers; wouldn't you do it when it was warmest? If you know the answer to that one, please drop a comment below!

Not knowing for sure at the time why it was all happening, I called Durham Hens to ask for some advice.

The Average Chicken Has A Life Expectancy Of 3 Years

This really shocked me when they told me because for some reason, despite all my pre-chicken-owning research about how I could start keeping chickens in a garden, I had thought that my chickens would live until they were 7 or 8!

On deeper digging into how long chickens live; I found that a lot of how long chickens live comes down to their breed.

Hybrid chickens (crosses between two heritage breeds), have the lowest average life expectancy at between 3 – 5 yrs but my Gingernut Rangers in particular have a life expectancy of 3 years.

They (people who breed chickens) say that this is because the Gingernut Rangers are bred for high egg production rates and fast growth and the speed at which both of these things take place requires so much life energy that the chicken dies earlier than its purebred, heritage ancestors.

Some chickens live longer though.

Mine will…they live a good life.

The Most Surprising Thing About Chickens & Their Lifespan

But the more surprising thing was when they told me they only expect Gingernut Rangers to lay eggs for 18 months before they slow down or even stop.

My chickens have been pretty consistent layers up until this winter (their 3rd) so if the 18 month average is to be believed, my chickens have done well already.

So here's the big question; if they stop laying eggs…and they die next year as expected; will I shed a tear or will I be pragmatic and wholesome about it?

Ok, so here's the thing;

1. They're going to live well past next year; I just know it.
2. They're even going to start laying eggs again come spring.

Check back in with me in Spring if you want to know if I was right…

Addendum To A Chicken's Lifespan

It's funny how the world can sometimes shift based on your perception.

I started writing this article over a week ago and since then; two days ago in fact, my Pied Suffolk chicken, Midnight, has started laying eggs again!

She is also a hybrid with a lower life expectancy…but such things don't concern us in this little suburban self sufficient homestead oasis; where all life extends beyond its western average.

Here's to many more years and many more eggs.