chicken suicide?

happychicken · Jan 22, 2020

I think my 8 or 9 year old chicken is committing suicide. Last week she had some really sparse droppings and had quit eating her feed. Figuring she had some kind of parasite, I took her fecal matter in to the vet for testing. It turned out she had no parasites or worms. He gave me some antibiotics and iron liquid just as a booster. I gave her the meds but she still would not eat her regular feed. She would eat some of the goodies that I usually give her (cheese, cream cheese, rice, corn chips, etc.) But now, today she won't even eat some rice and she is not drinking any water.
I think her time has come to leave this earth on her own terms.
Anyone else have any experience with something like this?

The Farmers' Daughter · Jan 22, 2020

happychicken said:
I think my 8 or 9 year old chicken is committing suicide. Last week she had some really sparse droppings and had quit eating her feed. Figuring she had some kind of parasite, I took her fecal matter in to the vet for testing. It turned out she had no parasites or worms. He gave me some antibiotics and iron liquid just as a booster. I gave her the meds but she still would not eat her regular feed. She would eat some of the goodies that I usually give her (cheese, cream cheese, rice, corn chips, etc.) But now, today she won't even eat some rice and she is not drinking any water.
I think her time has come to leave this earth on her own terms.
Anyone else have any experience with something like this?

Sadly, it sounds like her time has come. You're a good parent, who has obviously spoiled her and given her a wonderful life.
:hugs

CatWhisperer · Jan 22, 2020

Unfortunately, I agree withThe Farmer’s’ Daughter. Maybe you could bring her indoors to make things more comfortable for her.

Eggcessive · Jan 22, 2020

Sorry about your old hen. I have a little mille fleur d’uccle who is almost 9 and is not eating as much. I would check her over to make sure there are not mites and lice under the vent and elsewhere on her skin. Feel of her crop, to make sure that it is emptying overnight. If it feels full, hard, or puffy while she hasn’t been eating, she may have a crop problem or slowdown that is affecting her appetite. Then I would try making her comfortable, and allow her to do and eat what she feels like. Poultry NutriDrench or other electrolyte/vitamin could be helpful. Is she separating herself from others? If she is acting like she is suffering, then putting her down may be best.