Although this is not my first chumpkin death, it is my second RIR. The first one we thought was egg bound etc we did everything we could within our scope of practice. Our RIR are the oldest in the flock. Probably 8-10 years of age (they belonged to my in laws first). Anyways, I have my girl in a laundry basket just because I felt bad putting her in a tote where she couldn’t see anything. This morning is the first I’ve separated her from the flock as they have not been bullying or pecking her, in fact, they tend to stay close to her as if they’re protecting. She has lost quite a bit of weight, her breastbone is apparent, she is eating very little, separating herself from the flock, not taking in much water, lethargic more by the day etc. but last night she tried going up the ramp to the flat roost my husband built her, and fell. So she decided to sleep in the younger hens coop on the floor beside the nesting box. Our (we call her fluffy foot) stayed in there all night to keep her warm. She didn’t mind that Sue took her normal spot. So I went out around 5am and got Sue out of the box and brought her in and held her for about an hour then took her out to see the new baby chicks, and she’s now resting wrapped in a towel on top of a blanket. She has no interest in water or food, making the death rattle noise when I come near, I guess I’ll just keep an eye on her for now but this article (although it made me cry at least 4 times since I read it, and continue to reread it) has really helped me get over the fact that she is old and her dying has nothing to do with her care. I wish more people would be this kind. Thank you so much for this post.
Thank you very much for this wisdom and bit of knowledge! I found this very comforting and helpful. I am a new flock owner just inheriting 17 chickens 3 months ago. About 10-11 weeks ago we lost one of the older chickens and I was completely beside myself because I thought she was ill. But she exhibited EVERY “symptom” or act that you explained. That put my mind at ease that it was maybe something I had done wrong with it the first weeks I had the flock. I’ve grown to absolutely LOVE these birds and when my one lady fell ill I brought her into and huge dog crate filled with fluffy chips and kept her warm until she passed the next day. Unfortunately I hadn’t had her long so I just assumed she was sick and I didn’t see it. THANK YOU soo very much for this narrative 
Hi. My name is Vicki and I haven't had this girl or the rest of the flock/remaining rooster, their whole lives. Rather, I've just been around them for the last year-and-a-half. Though they are fed freely, they choose to be hand fed by me on a daily basis throughout everyday. This is something very new to me and apparently new to them. People that own them and this property, either laugh at me or call me the "Chicken Whisperer" (& somewhat ''crazy') for doing this ("who in the hell hand-feeds chickens anyway?!)
Me. I DO.
To date, I've been allowed to bury one of the two roosters and one of the hens, both being close with me, as are the rest of those remaining; one rooster and four hens.
Albeit most of this message is mere venting (much gratitude for that opportunity) I do have one question: Would it make her more comfortable if I brought her in the house OR left her where she's at? If I did bring her in the house, I have a cat and a dog, however both are accustomed to them all and can walk amongst them; everybody gets along. Being said however, I would not have them around her if I did bring her in, I would have them in a separate room. Not wanting to neglect anyone, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Better yet, what would YOU do?? I'm tough emotionally, but not so much with these girls, as I didn't even realize hens and roosters had the ability to bond as much as they do, let alone be quite supportive emotionally, nor have I had any real experience even being around them before!
I've attached a picture below. Thank you for your time, unfortunately for BLONDIE, time is of the essence at this point. I thank you all, I really appreciated what everyone has had to say, as it has helped tremendously already.
My sincere support to those going through the process, and my deepest sympathy for those who already have.
Respectfully,
Vicki Madsen
[email protected]
Me. I DO.
To date, I've been allowed to bury one of the two roosters and one of the hens, both being close with me, as are the rest of those remaining; one rooster and four hens.
Albeit most of this message is mere venting (much gratitude for that opportunity) I do have one question: Would it make her more comfortable if I brought her in the house OR left her where she's at? If I did bring her in the house, I have a cat and a dog, however both are accustomed to them all and can walk amongst them; everybody gets along. Being said however, I would not have them around her if I did bring her in, I would have them in a separate room. Not wanting to neglect anyone, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Better yet, what would YOU do?? I'm tough emotionally, but not so much with these girls, as I didn't even realize hens and roosters had the ability to bond as much as they do, let alone be quite supportive emotionally, nor have I had any real experience even being around them before!
I've attached a picture below. Thank you for your time, unfortunately for BLONDIE, time is of the essence at this point. I thank you all, I really appreciated what everyone has had to say, as it has helped tremendously already.
My sincere support to those going through the process, and my deepest sympathy for those who already have.
Respectfully,
Vicki Madsen
[email protected]
Attachments
Hi - thank you for your excellent article. We lost Ginny, our oldest hen today - she was 12 yrs and 8 months old. She followed the steps you described exactly (first thing we noticed was how light she was) and her passing was peaceful. I found your article so very helpful and comforting - just what I needed to see today (I came online looking for info about chickens dying of old age). Again, thank you very much for writing it. We have one hen left, Becky - she is also 12 yrs old, but a few months younger than Ginny. Someone we know takes in older hens and she offered to give us one of her older hens to be a companion for Becky. Or maybe we'll get pullets and start our flock anew... Here's a photo taken 12 days ago (Ginny on the left and Becky on the right).
Attachments
I feel heartbroken just to think about the leaving 
This is Jenga. She is 14. Her days are sadly almost up. Thanks to your article, I know to just make her as comfortable as possible. She can not keep her balance, she is mostly blind and sleeps a lot. She will be sadly missed.
