Older chickens -- What tips do you have to give them a good life?

[grnidone]

I have one old lady in my tiny 5 bird flock. She is the head hen, but is starting to slow down. I'd like to give her the best life I can. Do older chickens have different nutrition requirements or care needs that I need to be aware of?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Just how old is she?

 

[Mtnboomer]

Is she still laying?

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

Chickens can live to be 15... is she just middle aged and has another problem?

 

[grnidone]

She’s not horribly old. I think I got her as a 2 year old, so she is about 6 or 7 now.

She still lays, but often takes breaks.

She just has slowed down a little. I want to give her the best life I can.

 

[Sequel]

I have one who will be 4 in May and she’s acting older. I let her sleep in a nest box because she had trouble getting into the roost and I saw her fall off one time when another chicken was scooting around. I always make sure to have her flock raiser feed mixed with water available because I’m not sure she goes back inside to eat during the day.
When I can I offer the wet food to her during the day and she always eats it enthusiastically but doesn’t shove her way to the feeder on her own much.
You are doing the right thing by paying attention, there is no substitute for that. Offer some scrambled egg or tuna once in a while to keep her happy, maybe some vitamins once in a while in the water. I don’t do that too much because they have good fodder here which she does enjoy.
Good luck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you feeding? Don't feed a layer to a hen who is only sporadically laying. I keep all my birds until they die. Old birds add culture and experience to a flock. I enjoy them.

 

[grnidone]

Old birds add culture and experience to a flock. I enjoy them.

My old lady Penny, when she was a young lady, was pounced by my kitty Misha.

Penny has never forgotten this and will seek out Misha just to give her a chest bump and a peck.

She leaves the other kitties alone.

How do I separate her out to feed her separately?

 

[Sequel]

My old lady Penny, when she was a young lady, was pounced by my kitty Misha.

Penny has never forgotten this and will seek out Misha just to give her a chest bump and a peck. View attachment 2029890

She leaves the other kitties alone.

How do I separate her out to feed her separately?

I just scoop some of the wet food in my hand and offer it to her.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My old lady Penny, when she was a young lady, was pounced by my kitty Misha.

Penny has never forgotten this and will seek out Misha just to give her a chest bump and a peck. View attachment 2029890

She leaves the other kitties alone.

How do I separate her out to feed her separately?

I feed everyone either a non medicated starter grower or an All Flock or flock raiser ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells. I never feed a layer personally because I have birds of all ages, and roosters.