older hen growing spurs

[AppleHen]

I have a six year old Buff Orpington hen that is starting to grow spurs!! She didn't lay an egg at all last year, and only a handful the year before. (it's been nearly two years since she laid an egg) During her first two or three years she was an excellent egg layer. Could she have a hormone imbalance? I know hens sometimes have spurs-- it just seems odd for her to be getting them at her age!!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Do you have a rooster? If not she could be taking on the role of a rooster.

 

[AppleHen]

I have a few roosters, so it's not that. I did see her chase down a young rooster that mated her. Then she got into a mini"rooster fight" with a young rooster over some food. (I saw another hen do the same thing). Lately she hasn't looked very good. Most of the time she stands around with her feathers all puffed up and her comb has fallen over. She's also lost weight recently. I just wormed & dusted her so I'll see if that helps her perk up. I've also been giving her food away from the others.

Farmer Kitty, I like the egg in your avatar. Is that the natural color of it?

 

[AppleHen]

I thought of another thing strange about her lately... she has stopped perching also.

 

[crazyhen]

When hens get old their hormones change and you may see spurs and more rooster like behavior. I just read something about it in Storeys chicken book. She will have little or no eggs from then on. Just occasional at best. Time for retirement or pot of stew. Jean

 

[AppleHen]

crazyhen, Thanks for that info. at least now I know its normal... She is a pet, so she has gone into retirement. She is the matriarch of the flock!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Yes, that is the natural color of that egg.