How quickly do chickens age?

[AuntiePatriciaUSA]

Hi. I have two chickens two and a half years old. I got them at 16 weeks and for two years they ran about and had loads of energy. Over the past say three months they have become a bit more lethargic - both will take dust baths and then nod off to sleep for a while, this, once or twice a day. Is chicken napping pretty routine as they grow older: are they just aging gracefully and like a few naps each day, or should I be concerned? Is this normal chicken behaviour? They forage quite a bit, dont eat layers' pellets or mash (I give them dari seeds, a tiny bit of suet, egg and cereal supplement into which I try and sneak some layers' mash) and a tea time treat of corn and a few sunflower seeds) but they no longer lay. Seem quite happy and healthy though, and perky in the mornings, generally sociable and no obvious signs of illness. Maybe they're a bit depressed? Got nice big garden to run around in and human interaction throughout the day but maybe two chickens is just too few?

When I am lethargic, I check my diet to see if I've eaten something that is overly rich and maybe difficult to digest. I don't see that dari seeds are recommended for chickens, but for birds that fly. Suet? Egg? You might be trying too hard to 'entertain' them with food. Let them *forage only* and see if that might not do it for them - for at least a day or so... see if it helps. Fasting is good for us humans; eating rich foods clogs us up.

 

[Scatty Hatti]

Hi
Sorry, it has been a while because I have been away. Left my two girls in the capable hands of a friend for three weeks and came back a few days back. Not good, but I dont think my friend has done anything wrong. One of the girls is fine, but the other has got really fat and is waddling like a duck - in just that short time. Friend has given them both layers and hardly any treats but tells me they hardly ate anything. So how is it she is so fat? Last two days though she has looked really poorly. Stands around with head bowed down towards chest, eyes closed and very loose yellowish poo. Has she been eating slugs again I wonder? She loves them, although it hasnt rained here all the time I've been away so I doubt she found any. Someone else said she might simply be getting old but she is only just three and a half years. Puzzled. Have started her on antibiotics in case it is an infection. BTW she stopped laying 4 months ago, I dont think she is egg bound or has egg peritonitis. Maybe she really is just elderly now? I dont mind that she no longer lays...I just dont want her to be suffering.

 

[NatJ]

Hi
Sorry, it has been a while because I have been away. Left my two girls in the capable hands of a friend for three weeks and came back a few days back. Not good, but I dont think my friend has done anything wrong. One of the girls is fine, but the other has got really fat and is waddling like a duck - in just that short time. Friend has given them both layers and hardly any treats but tells me they hardly ate anything. So how is it she is so fat? Last two days though she has looked really poorly. Stands around with head bowed down towards chest, eyes closed and very loose yellowish poo. Has she been eating slugs again I wonder? She loves them, although it hasnt rained here all the time I've been away so I doubt she found any. Someone else said she might simply be getting old but she is only just three and a half years. Puzzled. Have started her on antibiotics in case it is an infection. BTW she stopped laying 4 months ago, I dont think she is egg bound or has egg peritonitis. Maybe she really is just elderly now? I dont mind that she no longer lays...I just dont want her to be suffering.

I don't know what to say about the "fat" hen, but I'm happy to see the update!

For that hen, you might start a thread in the Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries section: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/
Include the description of the problem and preferably some pictures as well, and hopefully someone will be able to provide useful advice

 

[Scatty Hatti]

I think I've found out the problem.The well-meaning friend used a wrong bag of food - one that I give a tiny bit of to them both during the winter and which is packed with suet. Tracey, gannet that she is, has obviously been gobbling it up to her hearts content while I wasnt there, even though the friend assures me he only gave them very small quantities. Needless to say she has been on a very strict diet -layers and fresh water only - for the past four days, and is looking a bit better and more spritely. I do hope no long lasting damage has been done, I love her to bits and hate her to suffer. I feel it is my fault for leaving the wrong bag lying around. Hopefully she will slim down a bit and get back her beautiful body. I think the moral here is to make doubly sure about everything if you ever need to go away a few days.