Golden Girls

Discover some of the most overlooked health issues in aging hens.

- ERIN SNYDER

It seems like only yesterday, the day you brought home those day-old chicks. So tiny and cute, they quickly worked their way into your heart. Since that time, you watched them grow up and lay their first eggs. After those first eggs came along, eight years passed and your hens made another change: They entered the world of senior citizenship.

As a hen ages, she has an increased risk of developing certain reproductive disorders such as ovarian cancer, egg yolk peritonitis and other deadly reproductive disorders. However, reproductive disorders aren't the only health conditions that aging hens face: arthritis, loss of vision and hearing, and a more challenging annual molt.

This article will discuss six of the often overlooked health concerns in aging hens and how you can help your hens live their best lives in their golden years. Note: This article isn't intended to diagnose, treat or cure any health issues in aged hens. If you notice any changes in behavior in your older hens, take them to a licensed veterinarian that specializes in poultry.

ARTHRITIS

An orthopedic condition causing joint inflammation, arthritis can affect older chickens, causing pain, joint damage and loss of joint function. Signs that your hen may be suffering from arthritis include:

• lameness

• decreased movement

• stiffness

• swollen joints

Arthritic chickens should be checked regularly to ensure that they're staying free from external parasites. Insecticides may be used to treat infestations, but not all insecticides are legal for use on birds in all states. Some may only be used in the coop or surrounding environment. The University of California, Riverside, department of veterinary entomology hosts a searchable database (www.veterinaryentomology.org/ vetpestx) for registered insecticides by state that may be helpful in identifying products you can use.