Hen falling asleep standing

[Fishsticks06]

Has your hen been laying eggs recently? Is her tail held up or down? What does her crop feel like—empty and flat, full, hard, dough like or puffy soft? Then check it again early morning before she has eaten. Will she eat if you offer some moistened chicken feed and scrambled egg bits? Reproductive infection, cancer, and internal laying are common in hens over 2. Feel of her for any weight loss, and note if her lower belly between the legs is enlarged or tight.

She's in an isolated coop, and there is no eggs in the boxes. So she's not laying. She keeps here tail down. I've checked her crop many times and it is usually close to empty, she doesn't eat much anymore. She will nibble at anything offered to her. She has lost quite a lot of weight since the beginning of the year, and her lower belly doesn't feel large or tight. Thank you for the feedback.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

By the way, I've always liked fishsticks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Most of the time we never really know what is going on with our older hens when they are sick or not doing well, until after they die and we can do a necropsy. Reproductive disorders are very common. I like to try to get them to eat, and if they ever seem to be failing or suffering, to think about putting them down.

 

[NurseNikki]

I’m sorry about your girl. I’m guessing she didn’t make it. I’ve had 4 golden comets at different times and all of their lives ended at age 3 this exact same way. First thing I notice is they stop laying eggs. Then they are slower to go back to the coop at night when free ranging, not interested in treats. Then comb will start looking sick, darker and flipped over slightly. Then they get sick looking, tired/sleepy, stand in corner with tail down. And yellow sickly yolk looking poop. The hard part is it always goes on for days, sometimes weeks with each day getting worse. When they get to point of not roosting or coming out of coop I’ve taken them to the vet to euthanize cause the suffering can linger for a while. I’ve got one doing this now. I know it’s only a week or two before it gets bad. She’s the longest I’ve had live at 3 years 1 month old. They are such friendly good birds though.