We are down to two chickens remaining from our original flock of bantams. Chicklet is 15, showing very little sign of her advanced age. She even laid an egg this spring! Ozma is 14 and is suffering from cataracts in both eyes. Because of her vision loss, she can't manage the social interactions of flock life so I have her in a separate pen next to the rest of the flock. We monitor her daily for signs that her vision loss is impacting her ability to find food and water. Last year, we had to euthanize another chicken at 14 years old because her cataracts made it impossible for her to eat normally (she'd peck in the vicinity of food but kept missing). That was very sad.
Other than these two with cataracts, several other of our elderly hens have developed internal masses visible on X ray, and we've made the decision to euthanize. One other hen suddenly showed illness by sitting fluffed up on a Saturday afternoon after our vet had closed for the day. She passed away quietly on Sunday night.
Other than these two with cataracts, several other of our elderly hens have developed internal masses visible on X ray, and we've made the decision to euthanize. One other hen suddenly showed illness by sitting fluffed up on a Saturday afternoon after our vet had closed for the day. She passed away quietly on Sunday night.
