Elderly 10.5 year-old Maran chicken -- concerned about her being cold

[Holly67]

Hello, I understand chickens are really tough but I wonder how true that is once they become elderly. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so the winters are mild compared to other parts of the country, yet I feel it's not unreasonable to be concerned. Average lows Nov. through Feb. are 41 to 37, respectively, with periods of freezing in December and January. She has some pretty bad arthritis in her neck and it's folded over to one side. She struggles to use her body but is not lame yet. However, her legs are strong, she still loves eating, having treats and still talks to me in a cheerful way. Her eyes say she is still very aware. My point is, we are nowhere near death's door though I see her energy greatly winding down.

She's also still molting. (I don't understand this, this is when she *needs* her feathers!) Her tail feathers have their sheaths stubbornly attached so heat isn't being trapped very well at her back end. I've tried helping remove them, GENTLY, with needle nose pliers but many are super tough and just not ready to come off. She can't preen herself either because of her neck. I've been enjoying bringing her in to roost on the back of a lounge chair, but I have to hide this from the disapproving landlords next door. It's a stressful trip across the yard every night!

One idea would be to remove her roost post and fill the roost floor with bedding to give her no choice but to nestle in it at night. But do chickens dislike having to sleep on the floor?? I also have no way to run electricity to her enclosure.

I imagine I'll get a variety of opinions but wondering if somebody has some expertise here. She's a pet to me, not livestock, and... she's my last girl I want her to be comfortable and do this right. Thanks for any help!

 

[casportpony]

Would you be open to keeping her in a dog crate in your house at night?

 

[tlcmurphy]

She looks incredible for 10.5 years old, you’ve done a great job!
I would also consider keeping her inside in a dog crate at night if it’s not too stressful on her. Also, chickens do just fine sleeping an the floor, my idiots do it every night , but she might miss her roost?

I have no idea how to get the sheaths off her feathers, I wonder if you rubbed them gently with something (coconut oil maybe?) if they would come off?

 

[AntiqueB]

Why not just keep her inside in a small wire dog pen? You can put an old sheet on the floor (wash daily after shaking outside), and make a small roost for her.

I understand she's an only chicken, correct? So she would probably be happier with you than alone outside, anyway. She can have supervised time outside to scratch around, or let her go to her run during the day if the weather's ok.

I've never had a feather sheath that was that hard. I usually just crush them between my fingers, but I wait until the sheath isn't touching the skin anymore. Even then, I can't do many before the girls get annoyed by my meddling.

 

[Holly67]

Thanks for the replies! I'm in a tense situation where I live. I really dislike my landlords, but I'm stuck here for now. I don't *think* they know I'm bringing her in. I'm trying to keep it from them because I'm pretty sure they'd disallow. Maybe I'll end up having to plead for it. I don't think another winter outside is good for her. She's pretty happy roosting on the back of my mcm lounge chair (with a towel draped over it, of course)! Basically, the trouble here is "other people." I used to own a home… it's miserable being a grown adult living under somebody else's rules currently. But I digress…

 

[MROO]

One idea would be to remove her roost post and fill the roost floor with bedding to give her no choice but to nestle in it at night.

Try a nesting box (or even a cardboard box) at the same level as her roost bar. Mounting directly on top of the bar so she can hop up on her usual bar and then step/mini-hop into the box may work, too. You can insulate or just deeply bed the box to keep her warm. That should give her multiple options ... and you peace of mind!

 

[user712746]

Hello, I understand chickens are really tough but I wonder how true that is once they become elderly. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so the winters are mild compared to other parts of the country, yet I feel it's not unreasonable to be concerned. Average lows Nov. through Feb. are 41 to 37, respectively, with periods of freezing in December and January. She has some pretty bad arthritis in her neck and it's folded over to one side. She struggles to use her body but is not lame yet. However, her legs are strong, she still loves eating, having treats and still talks to me in a cheerful way. Her eyes say she is still very aware. My point is, we are nowhere near death's door though I see her energy greatly winding down.

She's also still molting. (I don't understand this, this is when she *needs* her feathers!) Her tail feathers have their sheaths stubbornly attached so heat isn't being trapped very well at her back end. I've tried helping remove them, GENTLY, with needle nose pliers but many are super tough and just not ready to come off. She can't preen herself either because of her neck. I've been enjoying bringing her in to roost on the back of a lounge chair, but I have to hide this from the disapproving landlords next door. It's a stressful trip across the yard every night!

One idea would be to remove her roost post and fill the roost floor with bedding to give her no choice but to nestle in it at night. But do chickens dislike having to sleep on the floor?? I also have no way to run electricity to her enclosure.

I imagine I'll get a variety of opinions but wondering if somebody has some expertise here. She's a pet to me, not livestock, and... she's my last girl I want her to be comfortable and do this right. Thanks for any help!

she does look old i have a leghorn ive lost track of how old she is but shes been around at least since i was 9

 

[Holly67]

Try a nesting box (or even a cardboard box) at the same level as her roost bar. Mounting directly on top of the bar so she can hop up on her usual bar and then step/mini-hop into the box may work, too. You can insulate or just deeply bed the box to keep her warm. That should give her multiple options ... and you peace of mind!

That's a good idea...her roost bar is set low so she just has to step up now, not jump/fly up, couldn't possibly hurt to give the option of a cozy nest box at the same level.