What are the "symptoms" of old age and how do I manage an old hen?

[Trish1974]

Back in May I bought out a retiring Araucana breeder. In the purchase was the breeder's oldest show hen. She's a rough looking gal - missing part of a toe, blind in one eye, and her facial skin and comb are sagging from old age. When I asked how old she was the breeder just laughed and said, "She is so old I can't remember how old! Maybe 10?"

She went broody in June, hatched out a single chick in July, molted when the chick was 2-3 weeks old, and she stayed with that chick until I sold him in September. She started laying again in October. She would lay an egg about every other day, sometimes every third day. Three weeks ago she stopped laying. Since then I noticed a change in her behavior. She sleeps longer in the mornings; staying on the roost about an hour after everyone else has left. She goes to roost earlier, also. She putts around with the flock after she does come out. I've noticed she is eating less. There are no obvious signs of disease. No nasal discharge, no sneezing or wheezing, crop is fine, her poop is normal looking, no parasites internal or external, and she does NOT sit or stand around fluffed up.

My gut is telling me its just her age catching up with her. For those of you with old birds do see these same behaviors? What other changes do you see with old age? Is there anything supportive I should do for her, or change her feed? She has free choice of Purina Flock Raiser, oyster shell on the side, and all the fresh water she could want. She does not eat "treats" by her own choice (oddly I have found that the birds that were shown won't eat treats). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Back in May I bought out a retiring Araucana breeder. In the purchase was the breeder's oldest show hen. She's a rough looking gal - missing part of a toe, blind in one eye, and her facial skin and comb are sagging from old age. When I asked how old she was the breeder just laughed and said, "She is so old I can't remember how old! Maybe 10?"

She went broody in June, hatched out a single chick in July, molted when the chick was 2-3 weeks old, and she stayed with that chick until I sold him in September. She started laying again in October. She would lay an egg about every other day, sometimes every third day. Three weeks ago she stopped laying. Since then I noticed a change in her behavior. She sleeps longer in the mornings; staying on the roost about an hour after everyone else has left. She goes to roost earlier, also. She putts around with the flock after she does come out. I've noticed she is eating less. There are no obvious signs of disease. No nasal discharge, no sneezing or wheezing, crop is fine, her poop is normal looking, no parasites internal or external, and she does NOT sit or stand around fluffed up.

My gut is telling me its just her age catching up with her. For those of you with old birds do see these same behaviors? What other changes do you see with old age? Is there anything supportive I should do for her, or change her feed? She has free choice of Purina Flock Raiser, oyster shell on the side, and all the fresh water she could want. She does not eat "treats" by her own choice (oddly I have found that the birds that were shown won't eat treats). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I have 2 old lady hens that have gotten lazy due to their age. They're both 4yr old Mille Fleur D'Uccles, one stopped laying, the other one is still laying eggs, but very fragile shelled ones. They hangout on the roost most of the time, & eats very little.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Sounds like she is getting to the end of her life Trish. I’m sure she had a good life and is enjoying retirement at your property. She doesn’t seem to be in pain from your description, so I would just leave her be.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Recently one of my oldest hens died at around 10 years old.
One day she was strutting around with a bright red comb playing with the chicks and being mean to the flock (her favorite activity next to screaming at me for berries) a few weeks went by and it just went downhill. She didn't go out of her way to peck a passing chicken in the comb, she’s preffered to watch everyone eat her favorite foods then eat them herself. Then she’s started sleeping off the roost and she’s started to get bullied slowly her comb changed to purple and she’s started to slow down and not squawk. She had arthritis and it got worse then one mornin when I was going to let the hens out cleo my hen was dead on the ground

For you’re old hen give her complete access to feed and egg production supports like you said oyster shell
Then also make sure to check on her daily. Is she being quieted then usual? Also does she have a best flock buddy?
I don’t know if I’m helping but here is my experience

 

[cleoandtheflock]

I also agree with the others just let her do what she’s pleases. My old hen would happily roost all day watching her friends

 

[Trish1974]

Sounds like she is getting to the end of her life Trish. I’m sure she had a good life and is enjoying retirement at your property. She doesn’t seem to be in pain from your description, so I would just leave her be.

I am glad she is here, and gets to spend the rest of her days "on the ground" like a chicken should. I would have really like to have gotten some chicks out of her, but that's okay.
She does not seem to be in any discomfort at all. When she does come out of the coop she gets around pretty good. I do check on her daily (as in look at her poops, face, and crop). She is such a joy to handle. As soon as I put my hand under her belly she just drops into my hand!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Older birds don't uptake nutrients from their feed as well as birds in their prime.
Some nutritional supplement like Nutri-Drench or Fertrell poultry booster may prove helpful as would some occasional animal protein like canned fish.
I would expect her to resume laying as day length increases.

 

[ilvsbean]

Back in May I bought out a retiring Araucana breeder. In the purchase was the breeder's oldest show hen. She's a rough looking gal - missing part of a toe, blind in one eye, and her facial skin and comb are sagging from old age. When I asked how old she was the breeder just laughed and said, "She is so old I can't remember how old! Maybe 10?"

She went broody in June, hatched out a single chick in July, molted when the chick was 2-3 weeks old, and she stayed with that chick until I sold him in September. She started laying again in October. She would lay an egg about every other day, sometimes every third day. Three weeks ago she stopped laying. Since then I noticed a change in her behavior. She sleeps longer in the mornings; staying on the roost about an hour after everyone else has left. She goes to roost earlier, also. She putts around with the flock after she does come out. I've noticed she is eating less. There are no obvious signs of disease. No nasal discharge, no sneezing or wheezing, crop is fine, her poop is normal looking, no parasites internal or external, and she does NOT sit or stand around fluffed up.

My gut is telling me its just her age catching up with her. For those of you with old birds do see these same behaviors? What other changes do you see with old age? Is there anything supportive I should do for her, or change her feed? She has free choice of Purina Flock Raiser, oyster shell on the side, and all the fresh water she could want. She does not eat "treats" by her own choice (oddly I have found that the birds that were shown won't eat treats). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

My girl is 6 and I’ve noticed the same she’s slowing down, eats after the flock but I can’t tell if she’s laying or the others one as they all have access to the pens. She’s out every morning and she’s plods along on her own. She’s had access to oyster shells as well fresh water and I feed them fresh food as well as corn and pellets. So I’m thinking it’s her age. She doesn’t seem in pain however her feathers are changing colour slowly but I put mite powder down regularly as well!! I think as long as they are happy and well looked after then they have lived a good life.

 

[Loving my girls]

Bless her heart, for some reason I adore the older girlz. Iris and Hilda are my oldest girlz now, both at 7. Iris has never been a good layer, nice surprise when we find one of her eggs in the box and she gets lots of praise and treats. Hilda, unfortunately is still popping them out daily.
Iris especially as a big breed has arthritic toes. It’s evident and she’s definatly slower than the whipper snappers. She enjoys a bit of sun bathing and dust bathing but on her own and on her own terms. Her fluffy but feathers, like all of us, have dropped a little and are less attractive and she looks all in a lot of the time. She’s always first on the perch which makes it easier to give her the special treats.
Love her to bits