The oldest chicken in the world has died after living a staggering four times longer than average for a hen.
Peanut passed away peacefully aged 21 on Christmas Day at her home in Chelsea, Michigan, USA, according to owner Marsi Darwin.
Ms Darwin owned Peanut since she first peeled back the shell of her egg in 2002 and she told WBTV3 news channel that the pair had bonded immediately.
Peanut’s remarkable long life was recognised in March this year by Guinness World Records who crowned the fowl the ‘world’s oldest chicken’.
Speaking to WBTV3 about the death of her beloved companion, Ms Darwin said: “I realise she had a phenomenally long life for a chicken. I’m heartbroken nonetheless.”
On average most breeds of hen live for between five to 10 years, making Peanut an exceptional bird. Her age was verified by vet Dr Julia Parker, who first met Peanut in 2003 as a fully-grown adult hen.
According to the Guinness World Records site Peanut was a bantam breed of chicken and as of March 1, 2023, she was “at least 20 years 304 days old”
Speaking after Peanut was awarded the long life gong, Ms Darwin said at the time: “Peanut is a doddering old lady now but she has had quite a life.
“She has enjoyed vigorous good health all her life […] outliving many of her offspring as well as her parents and quite a few dogs, cats, and feathered friends.”
According to Ms Darwin, Peanut had a favourite rooster who was the love of her life called Lance, and as a hen she laid eggs until she was eight years old.
Ms Darwin revealed Peanut had been abandoned still inside her egg when her mother left the nest with her other chicks. Thinking the egg was not viable Ms Darwin said she was about to throw it into a pond when she “heard it cheep”.
Before hatching, Peanut was abandoned by her mother, who left the nest with all her other chicks.
She added: “I think Peanut had a strong survival instinct to ‘call’ to me”.
