Old Polish getting wet and dirty UPDATE, :-(

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

Thank you for the original post and the updates you made regarding the eventual sad outcome. I have a mixed/unknown breed hen who is at least 8+? years old and recently seemed to not groom properly, stayed dirty and damp as if she just quit shaking off the dust after a bath. I honestly don't know what it looks like when a bird dies of old age so I can't make any compairison or educated judgement. Four nights ago she started only climbing to a very low roost at night rather than the highest she usually occupies, she has no signs of parasites or injuries and no nasal goo. Last night she sat on the ground so I scooped her into a tub and brought her into the house. She died an hour ago. I hope it was just old age that got her. How do I know? What is typical?

 

[Tootsie]

So sorry for your loss.

She was the oldest chicken I had. Miss Moppet didn't have any other signs either. Most people don't keep birds as long as you or I but on this board probably a lot of them do. I think 8 is a good age for a chicken. Was she puffed up, that is a sign they don't feel good.

The vitamins I had given her dripped a little out of her mouth when she died as they were dark brown in color. I miss her. If she wanted something she would make a vocal noise to tell me, she was smart.

It sounds like you did what you could. I did notice a slight gurgle noise when I brought Moppet in the kitchen so I wonder if she had congestive heart failure or something. Sometimes you just don't know. I wish I had spent more one on one time with her but we can only do so much. I have so many chickens about 175 and sheep, bunnies and goats too. I am depressed about her loss but trying not to get too down as I have so many other animals depending on me including 2 cats and a dog inside.

 

[Guitartists]

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

Quote:
Thanks. Mine was the original surrigate mother. When we got her it was for the purpose of chick trainer. She was a couple years old and barely ever gave us any eggs, but I had to make emergency trip out of town and had 15 3wk old chicks in brooder and a friend with old hens she wanted culled. I filled the feeder and two five gallon waterers, put her and the chicks in the pen together and hoped for the best. All were fine and well when I came home four days later. The kids called her sarge because she has always lined up the chicks to get in the pen at night. That was eight years ago. Can't believe I've had birds that long!
I've decided I'm not going to get too down obout this. I think I took good care of her...I know she earned her keep taking care of chicks for me over the years like a good small farm animal/pet does. Many more chores still to do today.
She wasn't ever puffed up too much, just not clean and dry, lost a few feathers, and had a little less energy. I really thought she was about to molt. I guess that's why I'm wondering what is typical.

 

[Tootsie]

Awh she sounds so great! Mine wasn't puffed up either, just sleeping more.

 

[antiquebuff]

So sorry, but you did a wonderful thing for her!: