old age or sickness?

[Diveks]

Hello, I’m not sure if she is lethargic because of sickness or because she is old. How do I determine which it is? She is over 8 years old. She is not thin, she is still eating well, dust bathing, ect. But she spends most of her time laying down and doesn’t go too far from the coop, sometimes she would just stand and stare at nothing.

She’s my very first chicken and my little buddy I used to travel around with, anything I can do to help her out? And if it is old age, what should I expect?

 

[Lillith37]

My oldest hen is around 5 years old and she stands still and naps quite a lot of the day, especially if it’s warm and sunny she will nap a lot.

I think so long as your hen is healthy — without parasites or injury, her crop is empty in the morning and her poops look normal, I wouldn’t worry. We all slow down as we age.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Sounds like age. The oldest chickens I've had died were around 8-9yrs of age. My most recent older bird passed a the age of 6.

 

[Diveks]

My oldest hen is around 5 years old and she stands still and naps quite a lot of the day, especially if it’s warm and sunny she will nap a lot.

I think so long as your hen is healthy — without parasites or injury, her crop is empty in the morning and her poops look normal, I wouldn’t worry. We all slow down as we age.

Sounds like age. The oldest chickens I've had died were around 8-9yrs of age. My most recent older bird passed a the age of 6.

Thank you! I've never had any senior hens so I didn't know what to expect.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thank you! I've never had any senior hens so I didn't know what to expect.

You're welcome.