How do I know if a hen is elderly?

[Wordslikeacharm]

Hello everyone, I hope this is the right section of the forum.

Around 9-10 months ago we rescued a few chickens. They were in very poor health (their combs and around the eyes were white, they were unable to walk, their nails were quite long and curved towards their palms) and in the span of 2-3 months got a lot better and have been doing good so far, bright red comb and wattles, walking and running around, enjoying their life.

However one of them is sicklish/down and despite antibiotics, vitamins and dust baths she is not any better. I have no clue how old she might be. Her comb is floppy and discolored, her feathers are much darker/matte than any other chicken I have, she is getting thinner and her eyes are half-way open and not as bright as before. Someone more experienced saw her and told me she looks very old. So here's the question.
How do I recognise when a chicken is elderly? What are the typical signs?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Most of my old birds don't give signs. But I do have one hen who is like 8 or 9 that has gone blind in one eye and is just slower to act than the others. She seems to be tired more easily and dar more passive than the others. But even she doesn't act sickly.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Post a pic including her legs.

 

[Mrs. K]

Look at her legs and beak, they look old. The legs don't look as bright or as trim, the beak tends to have ridges in it, and a bit more of a curve. And her comb and wattles would be wrinkly and paler, she often walks slow, especially when first getting up, she is not as quick, and often times near the end, she just is not as interested in the world around her, she seems to be dreaming.

She will dramatically decrease her laying, but her eggs are often very large - but usually poor quality. Thin whites and the yolks break often.

She tends to be crabby with other hens.

Pretty much what you describe. However, the feathers - are very typical this time of year for all birds over a year, as they are going into molt. I was looking at Mrs. E, yesterday and I just had to laugh, her comb is flopped over, kind of near one eye, and she has tufts sticking out all over, and she looks like an old battle ax, just out of bed heading for some coffee!

Mrs K

 

[Wordslikeacharm]

As requested, some pics of her, meet Henrietta.
@Mrs. K that's exactly her, she is slower, and she seems uninterested in most of the things. She doesn't like anymore being around the flock and prefers being by herself most of the time.

If she's actually just old and not sick, how can I make her days more comfortable?

 

[Mrs. K]

By leaving her be. Don't upset her by handling her. There really is nothing you can do, but keep her safe from predators, fresh water and feed. I would not even harass her by trying to give her treats. Just let her (misquoting here) "go gentle into that good night."

I would expect one day just to find her gone, that would be best. If you catch her dying, let her go, do not prolong it. A lot of people want to treat their birds, but there really is no point if she is elderly. Death is just a fact of life.

Before you think I am heartless, know too, that I have Gramma Feathers, the matriarch of my flock for years. That day is coming.

Mrs K

 

[Wordslikeacharm]

Hi all, yesterday morning she passed, very calmly.
I like to think she waited for me, when I opened in the morning she came out, I saw she was different, and then she laid on the grass and slept, and then she passed.
Thank you for helping me with this, she has been happy I think, I let her be however she wanted and I tried to not stress her at any point.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi all, yesterday morning she passed, very calmly.
I like to think she waited for me, when I opened in the morning she came out, I saw she was different, and then she laid on the grass and slept, and then she passed.
Thank you for helping me with this, she has been happy I think, I let her be however she wanted and I tried to not stress her at any point.

So sorry for your loss, but know that she had a good life with you. She knew you cared.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think you did it exactly right. Safe, secure and in her home. We should all be so lucky.

As my granddaughter says, "Well that is tough...but now we can get chicks!" I keep a flock, the birds, they come in and go out of the flock.