Sick Chicken

[Debbie7371]

Hello everyone. I have an older chicken..like 9 or 10 yrs old who has lost the ability to walk. She tries but falls a lot. She also is puffed up like she is cold but it’s not cold here. She is eating and drinking but does have diarrhea. Her eyes look fine and I do not see any tumors on her. Her feathers on her head are white on the tips and easily come out. Any help would be appreciated. She has been like this for almost two weeks so I don’t think it is Marek’s disease.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Well..... I mentioned in another thread that I was relieved (I said happy but I should have said relieved instead,) that mother nature took care of my aging hen yesterday because the problem of quality of life decline is not a burden on me now. But seriously, she was very big and was really slowing down. I know it's tough but 9-10 is such a long wonderful life, I would feel like I'd be doing the right thing by helping her to chicken heaven.... Just my opinion and I got a little beat up for not being more sensitive so I'm trying to make up for it. Not walking and puffed up indicates under lying problems and she could be in pain, I'm sure you don't want that. I'm so sorry you're having to go through and that I skated around it. I do feel your heartache. I hope it works out and you know that she lived her very best life under your loving care.

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry, at that age, she might have reached her Horizon.

 

[Debbie7371]

Well..... I mentioned in another thread that I was relieved (I said happy but I should have said relieved instead,) that mother nature took care of my aging hen yesterday because the problem of quality of life decline is not a burden on me now. But seriously, she was very big and was really slowing down. I know it's tough but 9-10 is such a long wonderful life, I would feel like I'd be doing the right thing by helping her to chicken heaven.... Just my opinion and I got a little beat up for not being more sensitive so I'm trying to make up for it. Not walking and puffed up indicates under lying problems and she could be in pain, I'm sure you don't want that. I'm so sorry you're having to go through and that I skated around it. I do feel your heartache. I hope it works out and you know that she lived her very best life under your loving care.

Thank you for your kind words…I wish I could cull her but I can’t. After visiting with her this morning, I believe the end in near.