Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) longevity, ageing, and life history

Classification (HAGRID: 00581)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Aves (Taxon entry)
            Order: Galliformes
                Family: Phasianidae
                    Genus: Gallus
Species: Gallus gallus
Common name: Red junglefowl

Maximum longevity: 30 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 1
Sample size: Large
Data quality: Acceptable
Observations: Chickens are considered a relatively short-lived and fast ageing species [0136]. The maximum longevity in captivity of these birds, however, has been reported to be 30 years [0001]. This is not impossible considering the large number of animals kept in captivity, yet remains unproven. For comparative analyses the use of a more conservative value for maximum longevity, such as 15 or 20 years, is recommended. Domestic chicken reach sexual maturity before six months of age.

: No information is available on life history. Please contact us if you wish to suggest or contribute data.

[0870] Swanberg et al. (2010), Telomere biology of the chicken: a model for aging research (PubMed)
[0820] John Dunning (2008), CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses
[0607] Dou et al. (2006), Co-evolutionary analysis of insulin/insulin like growth factor 1 signal pathway in vertebrate species (PubMed)
[0435] McKechnie and Wolf (2004), The allometry of avian basal metabolic rate: good predictions need good data (PubMed)
[0135] Santana et al. (2003), Differential effects of aging on the distribution of calcium-binding proteins in a pretectal nucleus of the chicken brain (PubMed)
[0136] Holmes et al. (2003), Reproductive aging in female birds (PubMed)
[0137] Srinivasan et al. (2000), Aging-induced osteopenia in avian cortical bone (PubMed)
[0001] Carey and Judge (2000), Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
[0138] Weil et al. (1999), Fertility decline in aging roosters is related to increased testicular and plasma levels of estradiol (PubMed)
[0732] Starck and Ricklefs (1998), Avian growth rate data set
[0139] Gracy et al. (1990), The accumulation of oxidized isoforms of chicken triosephosphate isomerase during aging and development (PubMed)
[0080] Kuck et al. (1982), Total sulfhydryl by raman spectroscopy in the intact lens of several species: variations in the nucleus and along the optical axis during aging (PubMed)