How long do hens last??

[valtraman]

At our other farm there is one bantam hen left there from a batch I got at least 14 years ago . It’s feathers have gone almost pure white with age and is up feed passage every morning getting what she can . Today in my amazement I found she has been nesting under manitou bonnet and laid 3 eggs !! Is it normal for a hen to last as long still laying eggs ??

 

[oakleaf]

We have had bantams at 10 to 11 years old before but Hampshire reds and Marans only last about 5 or 6.
Sadly the foxes do for most of them before then.
Only ever had one or two literally fall off their perch and die from old age

 

[Woolless]

We had a hen we got as part of a wedding present lasted until she was 10. She appeared to have retired herself from egg laying but one day my wife heard a lot of clucking from the henhouse and 'Henrietta' limped out, leaving a very small, misshapen egg. That was her last hurrah.

 

[StormurShepherd]

I've heard of hens laying up to 10 years of age, however never seen one myself.

Think it depends on the hen getting proper dark/night cycles will stretch out her finite amount of eggs.

 

[crofteress]

Did once have a 15 year old hen called Henrietta , but I'm sure she wouldn't have been laying . These bantams must be hardy !