Mostly Blind Hen

[SunnyClucks]

I have a 4 yr old Speckeled Sussex. At some point in her life with me she lost some of her vision but always did great. No one bullied her. This fall (late october) she started a heavy molt typical for her. A few days in I realized I hadn't seen her. Found her hiding out from the rest and very very fearfull of the rest of the flock. She had lost a bunch of wieght from not eating and drinking. Some in the flock were now picking on her. I pulled her out to recovery pen. Got her eating and drinking well. I could see she had lost alot more if not most of her sight. Her comb has been very pale, she stands around looking a bit sick. But also seems good part of the time. Do hens combs look different in the winter when they are not laying? Has any one had older hen really go down hill after a heavy molt. Is she just getting old?
She will be living on her own now but I will be putting some bantam pullets in with her at some point.

 

[Shadrach]

Do hens combs look different in the winter when they are not laying?

Yes. Their combs tend to look much paler and slightly shriveled.

Has any one had older hen really go down hill after a heavy molt. Is she just getting old?

Four years old isn't old for a Sussex hen. Moulting affects not just the feathers but the whole biology. Heavy moults can discourage eating their regular feed and that can take some time to recover from.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...off-their-usual-feed-when-they-moult.1498056/

This article may be of interest to you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/raising-a-blind-or-partially-sighted-chicken.75986/