How to Handle the Ageing Process of Chickens

Two of our hens celebrated their 9th "hatchday" earlier this month. Wellsummers, both. I LOVE this breed!! They have outlived the other 6 hens (various non-Wellsummer breeds) we got at the same time and outsmarted the bald eagles that took out our entire flock of 12 ducks. They are slowing down (aren't we all?) but generally healthy and laid lovely chocolate brown eggs up until last spring, albeit sparsely the past couple of years. They won't be heading to the stew pot...pets, for sure, and probably too stringy!

Like ChocolateMouse, I was hoping to read specific health advice about nutritional support and any other things we can do to promote well-being. One girl's beak has grown quite long; I know that needs to be trimmed. Otherwise, are there things we can do outside of providing them a secure coop?

Ah, yes, the saddest day of a chicken parent's life is the day you lose one of your chicken babies. They never live as long as we might like but oh the hours of fun & entertainment they provide while they ARE here!!!

Nice article, thanks. Mine don't go in the soup pot either. Couldn't even entertain the notion.
We got our first girls for eggs & fresh chicken meat. It was a solid plan till I met 'em, then it was a zero chance of running anything but an old age home for chickens. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Having recently lost my two longest living hens from Raccoons, I loved how much I could relate to this article and prepare for my other hens to grow old. Also may I ask why kind of chickens you used in the photos? I've been attempting to identify my hens breeds with no luck yet.

This is somthing we are starting to come to terms with. We have decided that some with unique personalities that have earned them "named" status will live out their days with us as cherished pets. And some of the other "good Girls" (what I call to gather them for lock down and just a special treat) will be gently and humanely killed and eaten. We already have a plot for special friends who have passed. And when I stop at it and remember it rarely fails to get both a smile and a tear. I think this writer gets all of that. Well written! and timely.

Such an informative and warm-hearted article showing how our flocks can become a dear part of our lives for many years. Thank you for sharing!

So true I lost one of my babies last summer I still cry myself to sleep every night because she passed the wynite in back is metor she is the one who p passed I tried force feeding and vitamins along with iv fluid into under her skin

I have a 6 & 8 year old left in my tiny flock and deciding if I should add a couple of young ones or just let the old girls enjoy their twilight years without youngsters hassling them

I have never read an article about chickens aging before, so it was a nice suprise

Three of my hens are about 3 years old and still giving me eggs. They are the mothers of five of my other hens that are 1 1/2 years old. Two of my older hens sorta limp. I think that I need to lower their perch ( 18" high in a small Pawhut coop) to make landing easier on their old bones.

I guess I was expecting more medical information on common geriatric chicken ailments, cures, links to treatments, what to expect in the way of joint/eye/hearing degeneration, etc. with older birds. It's got a nice sentiment regarding the emotional aspects of chicken keeping, however.

When I get to that stage I will remember this and come back and read it again. Best ever "how to handle the aging process of chickens" out there!! Thank you.

Nice take on enjoying our chickens through all stages!

nice article! Having chickens ranging from age 5 to almost 10 years old this reflects my thoughts and experiences.

Thank you! This is a great article, chickens are my pets!

I wouldn't hurt any of my babes either their family, this is an important thing to touch on because death is a part of life and it's important to know more about it.

I’m always happy to find others who keep their freeloading retirees; I’m not opposed to eating my meat birds but I just can’t do that to my old hen friends