‘World’s Oldest Chicken,’ Peanut, Dies at 21: ‘She Will Be Forever Missed’

Peanut, who was named the “World’s Oldest Chicken” this year, has sadly passed away at the age of 21. She was born in May 2002 and lived with a retired librarian on a 37-acre farm in Michigan.

Marsi Parker Darwin, Peanut’s owner, announced that the beloved chicken had passed away on Christmas Day in a SubStack blog post on Wednesday. Darwin says that, to her, Peanut was a “close family member” and that she is now “grieving her loss.”

“We bonded 21 and a half years ago when I peeled her out of an egg, and although I realize she had a phenomenally long life for a chicken, I’m heartbroken nonetheless,” Darwin writes. "I know brighter days will come in time. But she will be forever missed."

Darwin adds that Peanut had taken her family “on a wild ride this past year and a half” after she gained “worldwide attention” for her Guinness Book of World Records title: “World’s Oldest Living Chicken.” A cared-for chicken’s average lifespan is about 10 to 12 years, so Peanut’s longevity is truly remarkable.

In her blog, Darwin sweetly reminisces her fond memories of Peanut’s life. She recalls how delighted some people were to hear Peanut's story and how they had reached out in gratitude. She thinks back to having reporters “interview” Peanut and how Michigan state Senator Sue Chrink visited to deliver an official Tribute to Peanut signed by the governor. 

Peanut was popular, but Darwin recalls having to guard her beloved chicken more and more and she became increasingly concerned about her health. Some filmmakers had to be turned away, and hopeful visitors had to be declined.

“Her popularity seemed to spring from her story of hope, help, and love in a harsh world. That’s a message that I hope will continue to spread in her memory.” Darwin writes.

Peanut lost her 15-year-old daughter “Millie” on Halloween night this year. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Peanut’s lifelong boyfriend “Benny” also passed away. Darwin says that Peanut showed signs that the losses hurt her deeply. She began to not eat and was increasingly inactive.

“I believe Peanut was grieving the loss of her friends, old age was catching up with her, and she too simply checked out,” Darwin writes.

“I spent the night of the 23rd holding Peanut, and on Christmas Eve, exhausted, I took her to bed with me, wrapped in a soft blanket, and held her close to my chest,” Darwin recalls. “I could feel her little head resting on my shoulder as she had done for years, and around 5 a.m. her neck relaxed into mine, and I knew she had died peacefully in her sleep, her final gift to me.”

While Peanut was the oldest chicken to be alive for a time, the Guinness World Record for oldest chicken ever belongs to Muffy, who lived to be 23 years and 152 days old before she died in 2011.