A 14-year-old hen from Texas, USA, has recently been officially certified by the Guinness World Records (also known as the Guinness Book of World Records) as the oldest living chicken in the world. Her lifespan far exceeds the average lifespan of typical chickens, which ranges from 3 to 10 years.
According to a report on the Guinness World Records website dated August 12, this hen named "Pearl" was hatched by her owner Sonya Hull on March 13, 2011, from an incubator at home. On May 22 of this year, at the age of 14 years and 69 days, she set a new Guinness World Record for the oldest chicken.
Throughout her life, Pearl has faced many challenges, including a broken leg, attacks by raccoons, arthritis, and even chickenpox. However, Hull stated that Pearl has always received love and care from the family, who treat her like one of their own children.
In Pearl's early years, she lived outdoors with other chickens in a coop. But as she aged, her mobility gradually declined. Hull created a special space for the elderly hen inside the laundry room so she could spend her days quietly and comfortably.
Pearl enjoys daily strolls, fluffing her feathers under the sunlight. However, the intense Texas heat is tough on her, and she starts panting if outdoors too long. Hull explained, "Due to her old age, she doesn't walk much, but she can 'slide' and tries to stretch her legs and claws affected by arthritis."
Hull mentioned that Pearl has overcome many hardships to live this long, especially considering that Easter Egger chickens — the breed Pearl belongs to — typically live only 5 to 8 years. Her usual diet includes fresh spinach, lettuce, fruits, nuts, and chicken feed.
Pearl likes to snuggle beside the mop in the laundry room and even sleeps with Hull's flip-flops. She gets along well with two other pets in the household: an old cat and a recently found kitten from the parking lot. Hull said, "She doesn't seem to mind the other animals, and sometimes the kitten sits beside her."
Although Pearl's egg production has declined with age, Hull shared that when Pearl's Guinness World Record title was officially certified, she excitedly laid an egg!
The Oldest Chickens Recorded in the World
According to data from the Guinness World Records, the previously oldest living chicken in the world was a hen named "Peanut" from Illinois, USA. She passed away on December 25, 2023, at the advanced age of 21 years and 238 days.
The longest-lived chicken ever recorded was a hen named "Muffy" from Maryland, USA. She was born on January 1, 1989, and died on November 30, 2011, at the age of 23 years and 152 days. Her owner was Todd McWilliams.
