A remarkable hen named Pearl has defied all expectations to cluck her way into the record books as the world’s oldest living chicken. The feathered centenarian, owned by Sonya Hull of Little Elm, Texas, has been officially certified by Guinness World Records at a venerable 14 years and 69 days old, as of May 22, 2025.

Pearl’s longevity is particularly extraordinary given that the average lifespan of a domestic chicken is typically between five and ten years. A small Easter Egger hen, Pearl was hatched by Hull in a personal incubator on March 13, 2011. She was the smallest of the brood and always at the bottom of the pecking order.

Throughout her long life, Pearl has overcome numerous obstacles, including a broken leg, a raccoon attack, and even a bout of chicken pox. As she has grown older, Hull has moved her indoors to a life of comfort. Pearl now spends most of her time in the family’s laundry room, but she is known to wander into the living room to watch television. She gets along well with the family’s senior cat and a new kitten, who sometimes sits with her.

While Pearl’s egg production has slowed with age, her owner says her vibrant personality remains. She still loves to go outside for supervised walks and enjoys scratching for slugs and foraging for her favorite snacks, cherry tomatoes and grapes.

For Hull, Pearl is not just a record-holder but a cherished family member who has defied the odds and taught her about resilience. The previous record holder, Peanut, a chicken from Michigan, lived to the incredible age of 21 before passing away in December 2023. Pearl, however, now holds the title for the oldest living chicken and continues to enjoy her well-earned fame.