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Meet Gertie: Oldest-living chicken that could help understand animal aging
17 Apr 2026

Meet Gertie, a 15-year-old Golden Sebright hen who has officially been recognized as the oldest living chicken by Guinness World Records.

The average lifespan of chickens is between five and eight years. However, Gertie's remarkable age has piqued the interest of scientists studying animal longevity.

They hope her case could provide insights into why some animals live longer than expected.

Gertie's daily routine
Hen's habits

Gertie is a Golden Sebright, a small bantam breed known for its striking brown-and-black laced feathers and compact build.

She has been with her owner Frank Turek since 2010.

Despite being blind in her old age, Gertie maintains a regular daily routine. She greets Turek with a soft cluck every morning, pecks at her food, and spends most of the day resting in her pen.

Scientific interest in Gertie
Research interest

Gertie's extraordinary age has drawn scientific interest, particularly in the field of animal aging.

Cases of extreme longevity in domesticated birds are rare and often raise questions about the influence of genetics, environment, nutrition, and stress levels on lifespan.

Researchers studying animal aging are often intrigued by outliers like Gertie because they can provide insights into how lifespan varies across species.

Why is Gertie's breed important?
Fact

The Golden Sebright is a bantam breed, smaller than standard chickens. Scientists may find this significant as body size and metabolism can sometimes affect lifespan. Gertie's breed's compact size and hardy nature could be among the factors worth exploring in their research on animal longevity.