Question on chronic diarrhea

[chitownhens]

This hen has had chronic diarrhea for about 6-7 weeks. This hen is from my original flock of 12 of which only 3 are left. She is at least 7-8 years old maybe more as I got her as an adult. My gut tells me she is just getting very old. She walks slow and is kind of weak with a bodyweight that feels like 1 pound but she is not suffering. She gets up every morning early eats and seems content.

At first I could only get her to eat watermelon which of course explains the diarrhea but she had that before I started her on it when she was in the coop. She is now eating more feed, some cheese and greens but still diarrhea.

I tried antibiotics at first to no avail. Any suggestions or should I just leave her be. I can't put her back in the coop because she cannot defend herself at this point her legs will collapse from underneath her.

Just looking for some suggestions.

Her comb looks very weathered and wrinkled.

 

[azygous]

She's old, all right. The comb on old, infertile hens appears dried out and shriveled due to lack of hormones. Her poop is indicative of a hen that is eating barely enough to stay alive.

At her age, she could have tumors on organs that are sapping appetite and efficiency.

In my flock, hens are permitted to live out their lives naturally. Currently, I have a couple of eight-year old, one nine-year old, and one ten-year old hens. Only one is light weight, though. The rest are pretty fat. But I've had old hens like yours where they reach a point where they start wasting away.

As long as they are enjoying life and don't appear to be suffering, I don't interfere, but I euthanize when they reach the point of no longer eating or being able to get around.

 

[chitownhens]

She's old, all right. The comb on old, infertile hens appears dried out and shriveled due to lack of hormones. Her poop is indicative of a hen that is eating barely enough to stay alive.

At her age, she could have tumors on organs that are sapping appetite and efficiency.

In my flock, hens are permitted to live out their lives naturally. Currently, I have a couple of eight-year old, one nine-year old, and one ten-year old hens. Only one is light weight, though. The rest are pretty fat. But I've had old hens like yours where they reach a point where they start wasting away.

As long as they are enjoying life and don't appear to be suffering, I don't interfere, but I euthanize when they reach the point of no longer eating or being able to get around.

Thanks my thoughts exactly and she is not suffering. She was outside most of the day with another hen that is very low on the pecking order and part of her group. Will keep a watchful eye on her. She eats and goes through at least a 1/4 watermelon per day plus the feed, greens, etc.