Quick Summary
Commercial meat chickens typically live for about 5 to 7 weeks before they are processed for meat production. These chickens are raised in a controlled environment with optimal conditions for fast growth, resulting in a short lifespan compared to chickens raised for egg production or as pets. The rapid growth rate and early processing are designed to maximize meat production efficiency in the commercial poultry industry.
Chickens live eight years on average, but hens only productively lay eggs in the first two, maybe three years of their lives. And on the commercial level, it’s closer to two years, and sometimes less.
I really appreciate this reply, and the effort you’ve taken citing here. I was in disbelief of the fact that chickens can be grown to slaughter that fast.
Dude what?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken
Yeah, if you let them live until they die of old age. But they are killed for their meat, and that usually happens around 6 weeks.
You are finding out about the disparity between commercial farm chickens and wild chickens (or rescued chickens).
Reference: (can find a bunch more about this if you want) Meat chickens: https://meatcheftools.com/how-long-do-commercial-meat-chickens-live/
Quick Summary Commercial meat chickens typically live for about 5 to 7 weeks before they are processed for meat production. These chickens are raised in a controlled environment with optimal conditions for fast growth, resulting in a short lifespan compared to chickens raised for egg production or as pets. The rapid growth rate and early processing are designed to maximize meat production efficiency in the commercial poultry industry.
Egg laying chickens:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/egg-laying-hens_n_59c3c93fe4b0c90504fc04a1
Chickens live eight years on average, but hens only productively lay eggs in the first two, maybe three years of their lives. And on the commercial level, it’s closer to two years, and sometimes less.
I really appreciate this reply, and the effort you’ve taken citing here. I was in disbelief of the fact that chickens can be grown to slaughter that fast.