Sick hen. please help.

[WindyCityCoop]

Hello,
I have an 8-year old hen that is sick. I just noticed her this way this early AM. Her waddle has turned yellowish, her comb is pale, she's lethargic, she's not able to perch or stand. This morning her crop was empty so I separated her in a cage, brought her into the house so she would be warmer than the coop temp which is in the 45-48 range (in a cold spell here in the midwest). I offered her scrambled eggs and water with some molasses, but by noon she didn't touch the food, so I fed the entire scrambled egg to her by introducing it small piece by piece into her beek, along with some water in between bites with an medicine syringe. Hours later, she's been awake, and looks around the room but will not stand up. I checked her crop and, although not as full as right after feeding her, there's still some food in it. I think it should be completely empty 4 hrs after feeding. I've read it could be a number of things but I have no definitive idea what could be wrong with her...I also read it could be her liver failing due to her old age, which would cause her to turn yellowish.
If anyone has pretty good idea what it might be ailing her, or if you have experienced something similar with your hen, please let me know what I'm dealing with, and the possible cure, if any. Thanks in advance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your hen.

What does the poop smell like, do you note a strong acrid urine or ammonia odor?

I agree, likely her liver is failing due to the yellowing of her wattles and comb. As to why the liver is failing, hard to know. Cancer, reproductive disorders, fatty liver, old age... many conditions can accompany one another.

I have seen this in a couple of hens I've lost. Ime, you are at a stage of giving supportive comfort and care, I have not found a way to make them better.
I do attempt to keep them hydrated, offer tidbits of food or goodies that they may find interesting to eat.
She's likely shutting down and it will likely take her a few days, but she will become less and less responsive and probably will only take a few sips of water in the last day or so, if that. Once she's at that stage, it's your call to decide to put her down or give her time to go out on her own.

8 years she's done good and so have you, I know you care deeply for her.

I'm so very sorry.

Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts, suggestions and opinions.

 

[WindyCityCoop]

She hasn't pooped yet since I put her in the cage. There's no sign of mites anywhere on her nor the others. She has not laid an egg in months, probably due to her age, which is expected. I cannot feel an egg inside her. She's not molting, and her feathers are still nice and full, she's just very lethargic. The rest of the girls are fine.
I'm out of vitamins, but I'm going to the store first thing to get some Rooster Booster poultry cell and will give her a couple of doses a day. I'm hoping it's not the end for her. I hatched her and her broodmates 8 years ago and I tried my best to care for them and give them a very nice and comfortable life.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Eight years is a good long life for a hen. She's a pretty girl, obviously well loved and cared for. I wish her well.