However there are reports of chickens living much longer. Why such a wide range. How Long Do Chickens Live 5 Important Things To Know Chickens Chicken Livers Heritage Chicken Breeds Pet chickens that are properly cared for can live a relatively long time. How long to chickens live . Until then use the rule that newly hatched chicks need ambient temperatures of 95F. Feed for laying hens. Many laying hens can live several years into retirement with average life expectancy between 8 and 10 years. Typical Chicken Lifespan Backyard chickens typically live between 5 and 8 years barring predation. Breed variation is probably the biggest factor in how long a chicken will live and the most reliable indicator of their natural lifespan. That being said different breeds often have dramatically different lifespans. Let us know if you have any more questions down below. Chicken lifespans vary widely with most hens generally living between 3 and 7 years. The worlds oldest chicke...