Can old hens feel the cold?

[Millymollymandy]

I found one of my old girls dead yesterday morning - looks like she just fell off the perch during the night.

I hadn't had any hints that she was unwell but I had noticed that she was fluffed up a lot since the weather turned cold in the last week or two - but without displaying any of the usual signs of listlessness, off food, not making any sound etc. She was still eating (very well!) and displaying her normal happy chicken type behaviour. She was 4 years 2 months old and a red hybrid like the one in my avatar.

The other 2 old birds aren't showing any signs like that though, and the one who died had gone through a full moult recently so she had a nice new set of feathers.

Not looking for sympathy (but darn it, why is it always your favourite that goes? ) and there's not a lot I can do about it if they do feel the cold, but just wondering is all!

[red]

it is always your favourite yes...

personally, it being a hybrid an all, i would put this down to old age.

[Esther.R]

Sorry to hear that. I lost one last week, same way. She was only just over three but has always been a lumpy looking hen (it sounds awful but I can't think how better to describe it) so I never really expected her to make old age. She was a great character though Last fortnight or so of her life she moved in with the goats (day and night, didn't leave their stable) so I did wonder if she was feeling the cold, seemed chirpy and happy enough though.

[The Riff-Raff Element]

I'd agree with Red. Old age I am afraid, perhaps exaserbated by the cold.

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks all, I assumed her time had come but just wondered about the feeling the cold bit.

[Rod in Japan]

Are you going to ... eat her?

[Millymollymandy]

No of course not and please don't try to stir things up Rod.

If you fancy eating a ratty looking dead hen with rigor mortis who has died, probably of old age but basically of unknown causes, that's your affair. Go raise your own!

[Rod in Japan]

Not stirring nothin' up, and no need to be so accusing. Everybody has their ways. I'm going to raise them when I'm ready, and in the meantime I'm asking to find things out. I had chicken tonight. It may even have been somebody's mother and best friend.

[Millymollymandy]

I will be accusing if I so please because I've been through this crap before, albeit on another forum, when one of my pet ducks died. I don't eat my pets so I suggest you ask your (perfectly valid) question on another thread. The sheer fact of me having said she was my favourite is enough warning for you to steer clear of asking if I am going to eat her.

[Esther.R]

I didn't eat mine either, I must admit a lumpy old hen found stiff with rigor mortis on the goat shed floor who died of unknown causes did not really whet my appetite

[Thomzo]

I certainly wouldn't recommend eating any animal that has already died of unknown causes.

Zoe