Old age symptoms

[Umpire]

We inherited a hen (New Hampshire Red if it matters). A friend found her wandering around their property and could not find an owner. She does not lay, and is pretty lethargic lately. Even worse, her upper beak is deformed, twisted upwards a cm or so. I don't know if the beak problem is recent or not. She cannot eat well nor browse. She manages if things are small enough or soft (like bread). She could well be slowly starving. She doesn't seem to be in pain.
My concern is whether she is actually sick and may contaminate the others. We separated her (partly because she can't compete, but also for safety. Being pretty new at this game, I have no idea how chickens act when they approach old age other than not laying any more.
Please advise.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Unless you are willing to house her seperatly for at least 6 weeks (minimum) and then can watch and be sure that she can compete in your flock, the best choice may be to put her down. It really depends on how much time, money and effort you want to put in a rescue bird. Personally I would only put that kind of effort in a bird if it could be of some use for breeding or at least eggs. If you do nurse her back to health she may have several years left in her, or not. Bless you for taking in an animal in need, sometimes choices like this can be tough