Chickens typically live for 5 to 10 years, which can be bad news if you’re experiencing an unwanted cock-a-duck alarm and are sleepily wondering, “How long do roosters live??”
But if you keep chickens (including roosters), the good news is that you can take steps to extend their lifespan.
Lifespan of 11 Common Chicken Breeds
Below are some of the most common chicken breeds and their average lifespan.
-
Isa Bruins: 2 to 3 years
-
Leghorn: 4 to 6 years
-
Rhode Island Red: 5 to 8 years
-
Swedish flower hens: 6 to 8 years
-
Australorp: 6 to 10 years
-
Wyandotte: 6 to 12 years
-
Silkie: 7 to 9 years
-
Kochi: 8 to 10 years
-
Easter eggs: 8 to 10 years
-
Orpington: 8 to 10 years
-
Plymouth Rock: 8 to 10 years
Lifespan of Rooster vs Hen
Roosters and hens of the same breed generally have very similar lifespans, with roosters averaging 5 to 8 years. However, several factors affect the average lifespan of laying hens and production breeds that live in rural areas near predators.
Even expensive heritage breeds are easy prey, and it is usually the rooster’s responsibility to protect the flock from potential predators. This instinct usually kicks in when the hens start laying eggs and roosting to keep warm.
Although they are fierce fighters, there are times when even the strongest rooster is outmatched by a desperate fox or coyote. These fights can shorten the lifespan of roosters. However, there are many cases where a resilient rooster can outlive their hens, as they avoid the strain that a dual-purpose hen experiences by laying eggs every week.
Raising chickens for eggs, meat, or as a clucking pet has become increasingly popular. Understanding the lifespan of chickens allows you to prepare for each life stage to help them thrive during their hopefully decade-long happy lives.
4 Biggest Factors That Affect a Chicken’s Lifespan
A chicken’s breed, genetics, hereditary diseases, environmental conditions, predator risks, diet, and daily care all affect its lifespan. Proper care and nutrition can help hybrid chickens live long and healthy lives.
Chickens die from natural causes, injuries or diseases, but well cared for chickens have a much better chance of survival. On the other hand, factors such as rapid growth, high production demands and poor genetics can shorten a chicken’s lifespan.
1. Genetics and race
Some breeds, particularly heritage or dual-purpose breeds, are known to have the longest natural lifespans due to their good genetics and adaptability. In contrast, commercial production breeds, which are often bred to mature early and focus on high egg production or meat yield, may have shorter lifespans due to their intensive breeding practices and genetic makeup.
By choosing breeds with robust health traits and good genetics, poultry farmers can potentially extend the lifespan of their chickens, allowing them to live longer, healthier lives. Certain hybrid breeds are bred for specific traits, including longevity.
Landrace chickens
Landrace chicken breeds have evolved naturally in specific geographic regions, adapting to local environments and conditions. Unlike commercial breeds, which are often developed through selective breeding for specific traits, Landrace chickens have developed unique characteristics based on their natural environment and traditional farming practices.
These breeds tend to be hardier, more resilient, and better suited to their local climate and conditions. Examples of landrace chicken breeds include the Swedish Landrace, known for its adaptability and good egg production, and the Icelandic chicken, known for its robust health and ability to thrive in harsh weather.
Landrace breeds often possess a high degree of genetic diversity, which can contribute to their overall health and longevity.
2. Diet and nutrition
Just like us humans, the quality of a chicken’s diet directly affects its health and ultimately its lifespan. A balanced diet for optimal health includes a mix of high-quality commercial feeds that are specially formulated for chickens and provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Backyard chickens benefit from a diet that includes grains, legumes, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit, along with access to fresh water at all times. Good nutrition supports a strong immune system, promotes healthy growth, and improves egg production and overall vitality.
3. Living conditions
Chickens raised in cramped or unsanitary environments can have shorter lifespans due to increased stress and exposure to disease. For production breeds, which are often kept in more intensive environments, the lack of space and fresh air can lead to health problems and possibly premature death of the chickens.
In contrast, chickens that have access to a spacious yard and a clean, well-ventilated area tend to thrive and live longer, healthier lives.
For those who keep chickens as pets, it is essential to provide optimal living conditions to ensure that they live their best and fullest lives. This includes outdoor housing for chickens that also provides adequate protection from predators.
4. Health care
Regular veterinary care is essential for diagnosing and treating diseases that could otherwise shorten a chicken’s life. By providing a balanced diet and timely medical attention, human intervention helps chickens develop a strong immune system.
The ‘productive’ lifespan of a chicken
When talking about the productive lifespan of chickens, it is important to distinguish between the number of years lived and the number of years they lay eggs.
A chicken’s lifespan refers to the total number of years it can live, which generally ranges from 6 to 12 years, depending on breed and care. On the other hand, productive lifespan specifically refers to the period when a chicken is at its peak egg production. This period can be significantly shorter than its total lifespan.
Commercial laying hens
For most chickens, especially commercial layers, the productive lifespan typically hovers around 2 to 3 years. During this time, hens are most productive in laying eggs, which ensures a steady supply of eggs.
However, egg production declines after this peak period. After this time, egg production declines and hens may eventually stop laying altogether. This decline is a natural part of aging, even though the hen may live for several more years.
Dual-purpose and heritage breeds
In contrast, dual-purpose and heritage chicken breeds, often kept by hobby chicken enthusiasts and free-range chicken owners, tend to have longer productive lifespans.
These breeds, such as the Australorp or the Rhode Island Red, are prized as both layers and meat birds. While they may not lay as intensively as commercial layers during their productive years, their longer productive lifespans can provide a longer period of usefulness for both egg and meat production.
3 Basic Life Stages of Chickens
Throughout their lives, chickens undergo significant changes from the vulnerable chick stage through their adult years and ultimately old age. Each stage requires tailored care to ensure their well-being and adapt to their changing roles within a flock.
1. Chick stage
The chick stage is the earliest and most vulnerable period in a chicken’s life. This stage includes the first few weeks after hatching.
During this critical stage, chicks require specific care to ensure proper growth and development. They require a constant source of heat, usually provided by heat lamps, to maintain their body temperature.
In addition, chicks require a special diet designed to meet their nutritional needs. Due to their great vulnerability, extra care is essential to protect chicks from potential dangers and ensure that they grow into healthy birds.
2. Hen/hen and rooster/rooster stage
As chicks mature, they enter the pullet/hen and cockerel/rooster stages. Pullets, which are young hens, usually begin laying eggs around 5 to 6 months of age, marking their transition into their productive stage. They begin producing eggs during this time, making them an essential part of any backyard or commercial setup.
On the other hand, roosters, the young male chickens, start crowing and show more pronounced rooster behavior at this time. This stage is characterized by visible physical development as chickens develop feathers and become sexually mature.
Young hens and roosters are in their prime. The hens are the most productive in laying eggs and the roosters are often used for meat production.
3. Older phase
As older hens experience a decline in health, usually around 5 to 7 years of age, they enter the elder stage. During this time, egg production slows significantly and many hens may eventually stop laying eggs altogether.
Despite this decline, older hens should have a more relaxed lifestyle. They require less intensive care than their younger counterparts, as they no longer require the same level of attention to egg or meat production. Variations in rooster lifespan can also occur at this stage, as older roosters may become less active.
We created this article using AI technology and then fact-checked and edited it by an editor from HowStuffWorks.
That’s annoying but still impressive
There’s no way to hit the snooze button on a rooster, even if you keep them in the coop for an extra hour or two in the morning. With an impeccable circadian rhythm, roosters will crow precisely at sunrise, even without any external light cues. Roosters have specialized brain cells that help them anticipate the time of day, and they often begin crowing before sunrise. They’re not just showing off their impeccable timing; they’re also establishing their territories and chatting with other roosters so everyone knows who’s boss of the dawn chorus! The precise timing of their crows demonstrates their remarkable internal sense of time and adaptation to their natural environment.
Original article: How Long Do Roosters Live?
Copyright © 2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 company