Portland, Maine — A pet hen from the northeastern United States has captured global attention after being officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest living chicken.
Gertrude, affectionately known as Gertie, is a Golden Sebright bantam hen owned by Frank Turek. As of November 7, 2025, she was verified to be 15 years and 100 days old—an age far beyond the typical lifespan of backyard chickens, which averages between five and eight years.
According to Guinness World Records and reports from outlets including NPR, Gertie surpassed the previous record holder, a Texas hen named Pearl, by more than a year. She is expected to turn 16 in July 2026.
Turek, who has raised Gertie since she was a day-old chick in 2010, says the bird has become more than just a pet. Now blind, Gertie lives indoors and enjoys an unusually comfortable lifestyle—sharing space with a Great Dane and reportedly responding positively to jazz music, particularly bebop.
“She’s part of the family,” Turek told local media, describing her as calm and resilient despite her age and loss of sight.
Gertie stopped laying eggs several years ago after an estimated seven to eight years of productivity, which is typical for hens. However, her continued survival has surprised poultry experts, given that most chickens rarely live into their teenage years.
The story gained widespread attention in mid-April 2026 after Guinness formally confirmed the record, with coverage by multiple international media outlets highlighting her remarkable longevity.
Animal experts say while genetics, care, and environment all play a role in lifespan, cases like Gertie’s remain rare. Her record has since sparked interest among poultry keepers and animal lovers worldwide, with many pointing to attentive care and a low-stress environment as possible factors behind her long life.
For now, Gertie continues to enjoy her quiet life indoors in Portland—a small but remarkable reminder of how far attentive care can go in extending the life of even the most unlikely record-holder.
