atripp6120
Chirping
I have a hen that I'm not sure if she's actually sick or if she's just at the end of her life.
She is a buff orpington. Her name is Henrietta. She is (I'm guessing) 7-8 years old. I've had her for I think 4 years and she was 3 or 4 when I got her. She's always been a good, heavy chicken. Always been healthy. The past probably 2 months She began losing weight. She's as light as a feather now.
About 3 days ago I noticed she wasn't walking well or really getting around at all. She might try to take a few steps but then will often fall. When she lays down, she often is leaning to one side. When I try to stand her up, her feet/toes often curl up even when I try to stand her on them. Then when I do get her feet spread, she just falls if I let go.
She was like that for probably 36 hours then started to walk around again. She walked slow and carefully and not too far at once. I took her outside and put her in our sunflower garden and she moved through there ok but by the evening she wasn't walking again so I brought her back inside.
She's still eating and drinking normally. She's pooping but the poop is horribly smelly, probably the worst I've ever smelled. It's also runny and watery most the time but sometimes it's more solid.
She's alert and not even lethargic. I can tell she gets tired easily. I've been taking her out into the grass and sitting with her and she'll pick at the grass and bugs. She'll move a little bit at a time but not really steps, just kind of a fluff shuffle. She may be sleeping more than younger chickens but not a whole lot.
She doesn't show any signs of illness really. Her comb is a good healthy color. Her eyes are clear but I can see her eyelids get heavy when she has been awake for a while because she's tired. She sleeps fine at night and is awake during the day except for naps.
I'm not sure if anyone has any clues as to what might be going on. I honestly think she may just be reaching the end of her life but if not, I'd like to get her better. She's been a great bird and friend and I'm trying to give her the best last days I can with some healthy treats and lots of love and affection. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
She is a buff orpington. Her name is Henrietta. She is (I'm guessing) 7-8 years old. I've had her for I think 4 years and she was 3 or 4 when I got her. She's always been a good, heavy chicken. Always been healthy. The past probably 2 months She began losing weight. She's as light as a feather now.
About 3 days ago I noticed she wasn't walking well or really getting around at all. She might try to take a few steps but then will often fall. When she lays down, she often is leaning to one side. When I try to stand her up, her feet/toes often curl up even when I try to stand her on them. Then when I do get her feet spread, she just falls if I let go.
She was like that for probably 36 hours then started to walk around again. She walked slow and carefully and not too far at once. I took her outside and put her in our sunflower garden and she moved through there ok but by the evening she wasn't walking again so I brought her back inside.
She's still eating and drinking normally. She's pooping but the poop is horribly smelly, probably the worst I've ever smelled. It's also runny and watery most the time but sometimes it's more solid.
She's alert and not even lethargic. I can tell she gets tired easily. I've been taking her out into the grass and sitting with her and she'll pick at the grass and bugs. She'll move a little bit at a time but not really steps, just kind of a fluff shuffle. She may be sleeping more than younger chickens but not a whole lot.
She doesn't show any signs of illness really. Her comb is a good healthy color. Her eyes are clear but I can see her eyelids get heavy when she has been awake for a while because she's tired. She sleeps fine at night and is awake during the day except for naps.
I'm not sure if anyone has any clues as to what might be going on. I honestly think she may just be reaching the end of her life but if not, I'd like to get her better. She's been a great bird and friend and I'm trying to give her the best last days I can with some healthy treats and lots of love and affection. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
