Blind 15-Year-Old Hen From Portland Named World's Oldest Chicken
Gertie, who went blind and now lives in Frank Turek's living room, earned the Guinness title in April 2026 and turns 16 in July 2026.
A 15-year-old bantam hen named Gertie who lives near downtown Portland has been named the world's oldest chicken by the Guinness Book of World Records, Maine Public reported in a story published by the Bangor Daily News. The designation came in April 2026.
Gertie, a small breed about half the size of a standard hen with orange feathers trimmed in black, started out in owner Frank Turek's first backyard flock. Turek said her bold personality set her apart, and she led the flock, at one point crowing like a rooster to keep her rank.
As she aged, Gertie went blind, and other hens attacked her. After an attack on Christmas Day 2024 left her badly hurt, Turek brought her inside. She now lives in a converted dog crate in his living room, along with his two cats and a Great Dane.
The record bid began in fall 2025, when a member of an online chicken group pointed out that her age beat that of the record holder at the time. Turek supported the claim with the email from when he bought her plus years of time-stamped photos and videos.
Backyard chickens usually live three or four years. Turek said Gertie has also learned to hop onto a perch again, and he plans a party with lights and jazz for her 16th birthday in July 2026. He called the recognition “kind of satisfying.”
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
