how long do they live

[Ian]

we have 6 hybrids brown Rhode Island Red ,we have had them 3 year and would like to add 3 more younger chickens the same breed as the others are not laying.has anyone got any advice on this.cheers ian

 

[victorias poultry]

Hi Ian
When introducing any new birds into your flock, you are best to isolate them in a seperate hen house for 7-10 days. Hybrids tend to live for around 4 years, depending on the birds background i.e. ex batts, barn reared, organic free range etc.. but also how they are treated, what food they eat and general well being. I have 80 ex batts which I have bought over the last few years, some died at age 2 some are still going aged 4. I also have 1 old silkie cross cockerel who is 12 years of age!

Regards Sue

 

[Anonymous]

Our free range birds can live a long time. I had three that reached the ripe old age of 11 a few years ago. And yes, birds do get arthritis!

 

[karlooben]

i have had ex batts and one died within a week of rehoming her { think it was just pure shock } and in late july i lost my last ex batt who was over 3 years old so this weekend i am rescuing another 8 girls but i know i will lose maybe 1 or 2 of them before the winter but like all animals some go young some just carry on its all down to how well they are kept i suppose .

 

[ncotb]

Pure breeds tend to last longer than hybrids, as they dont produce so many eggs over a short period, so they dont get burnt out. Though its like saying how long is a piece of string as some last for ages, but either dont or rarely produce eggs as they get older.