Chickens generally live between 3 and 7 years, but with ideal care, they can live up to 10 to 12 years or even longer
. The average lifespan varies depending on breed, genetics, environment, and purpose:
- Backyard chickens often live 5 to 10 years, sometimes more than a decade if well cared for, with good diet, protection from predators, and no illness
- Standard breeds typically live 7-12 years, bantams 10-16 years, while giant breeds tend to have shorter lifespans around 5-7 years
- Hybrid egg-laying breeds usually live shorter lives of 2-3 years due to intensive breeding for egg production
- Heritage breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Plymouth Rocks often live 8-10 years
In contrast, chickens raised for commercial purposes have much shorter lifespans:
- Broiler chickens (meat birds) are typically slaughtered at about 6 weeks old (around 47 days)
- Commercial egg layers are usually kept for 18 to 24 months before being culled once egg production declines
Wild chickens generally live 3 to 7 years and sometimes longer, benefiting from natural behaviors but facing risks from predators
. In summary, a well-cared-for backyard chicken can live around 5 to 10 years or more, whereas commercial chickens have drastically shortened lives due to farming practices
