- Oct 12, 2013
- 17
- 0
- 22
Hi,
I found one of my older hens dead today. I thought she was about 2 to 2-1/2 years old, but I'm not certain. She had been lethargic for a week or two, no pus, no rattling when she we breathing, no lumps or bumps, she ate, but not with the vigor she used to, Other than she seemed to move slower, I didn't notice much else.
About 4-5 months ago, her feathers darkened. It was really strange, she's a RIR, and was darker than two of her flock, but her feathers got darker. She didn't molt, didn't seem like many fell out either.
About 6 months ago, she did come down with an upper respiratory issue, I put antibiotic powder in the water, and within 2 weeks, she had perked up and her sneezing & weezing were gone. None of the other 3 birds caught it, and the 6 chicks I had were in the house and didn't come in contact (or get sick).
I'm befuddled, she did in the last 2 weeks look like she had aged, in the face, it's really hard to describe. She looked tired.
I buried her in the front yard, poor thing. I'll be watching the rest of the flock to see if anyone else gets sick or seems to "slow down".
I found one of my older hens dead today. I thought she was about 2 to 2-1/2 years old, but I'm not certain. She had been lethargic for a week or two, no pus, no rattling when she we breathing, no lumps or bumps, she ate, but not with the vigor she used to, Other than she seemed to move slower, I didn't notice much else.
About 4-5 months ago, her feathers darkened. It was really strange, she's a RIR, and was darker than two of her flock, but her feathers got darker. She didn't molt, didn't seem like many fell out either.
About 6 months ago, she did come down with an upper respiratory issue, I put antibiotic powder in the water, and within 2 weeks, she had perked up and her sneezing & weezing were gone. None of the other 3 birds caught it, and the 6 chicks I had were in the house and didn't come in contact (or get sick).
I'm befuddled, she did in the last 2 weeks look like she had aged, in the face, it's really hard to describe. She looked tired.
I buried her in the front yard, poor thing. I'll be watching the rest of the flock to see if anyone else gets sick or seems to "slow down".
