Old chicken stopped eating and drinking

[elanski]

Ok so I think I already know the answer to this but just wanted to check in case anyone says - no, no, you should do such and such....

She is about 7 years old (not entirely sure as I bought her from auction) For the last two days she hasn't eaten or drunk anything as far as I can tell. No visible signs of injury or disease. Crop is empty. She had slowed down quite a bit recently and has been going back to the coop quite early. Today I separated her from the others and put in her 'chicken hospital' pen. Even her favourite, scrambled egg couldn't tempt her into eating. She's just sitting there not moving and staring into the distance. I'm thinking its just her 'time' now and there's not really much I can do apart from make sure she is comfortable and has everything she needs if she wants it. I thought about syringing some electrolyte into her beak but that doesn't seem like the right thing to do at this stage if she's at the end of her life. What do you think?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give her a dropper full of poultry NutriDrench orally. The try dipping her beak into water. Wet mushy chicken feed in a small bowl is also good. If that doesn’t stimulate her to drink, then I would consider just making her comfortable with food and water near her, and letting her go. If you put down your chickens, that is also a choice. With my old hens, I just let them be, staying with the flock doing what they want. If I see they are being pecked by others, then I separate them in a dog crate or hospital pen. Some chickens suffer from egg laying disorders, cancer, or other illnesses. I have been lucky enough to have had a few make it to 10 years, but eventually their time is limited. Be sure to check her vent area just in case she has poop stuck to her vent where maggots and flystrike can kill them. That is a concern in hot weather.