Amputated a chicken's leg today

[ruth]

Quote:
They were type that look like a giant pair of scissors. I was afraid if I tried to chop with a cleaver or axe I would miss or shatter bone. I wanted something that would cut quick and clean. I'll admit, I closed my eyes as DH made the cut and like I said she didn't squirm or make any sound so I had to open my eyes to see that her foot was not only gone there wasn't any bleeding. I was prepared for squirming, and massive bleeding, and screaming but there was none of that - thank God. I wrapped it up and she started hopping around kitchen floor eating bread.

 

[snowydiamonds]

I'm very interested in how Sweetie does as I recently hatched out a chick from my Andalusian roo and the bantam hen I tried to give the chick to stepped on the chick, holding it down so she could try to kill it, there was nothing wrong with it but now its right leg turns out, away from the body, too. I have tried ever since to tape or strap or crutch the leg properly but cannot. It only holds where it should be when I hold it w/my two hands. I was going to put it out of misery so many times since but haven't, its doing well so far. I do believe it won't as the body gets bigger though and have been wondering if I'd have to cull to eat or just cull sooner or later. Now, you give me hope...please keep updating Sweetie's progress.

 

[ruth]

Quote:
I'm sure it didn't feel good but if it hurt she didn't let on - didn't cry out, didn't even squirm or flinch as I held her. No I didn't give her anything for pain. I know they can take aspirin in small quantities but didn't want to give her that prior to amputation because I thought there might be bleeding but there wasn't any of that either. The leg was pretty much dead and has been.

Trust me, this is not something I wanted to do but had to do this or cull her. She had bare skin on her wing she has been using to try and free herself everytime she gets hung up on something - she had bare back because the roosters take advantage of the fact that she's caught on something on the ground and can't move - and once she started losing mobility there's another hen or two that are picking on her so she would stay in hiding behind a cage on the floor, caught in the holes/wires, and wouldn't come out.

 

[lovemychix]

Quote:
I'm sure it didn't feel good but if it hurt she didn't let on - didn't cry out, didn't even squirm or flinch as I held her. No I didn't give her anything for pain. I know they can take aspirin in small quantities but didn't want to give her that prior to amputation because I thought there might be bleeding but there wasn't any of that either. The leg was pretty much dead and has been.

Trust me, this is not something I wanted to do but had to do this or cull her. She had bare skin on her wing she has been using to try and free herself everytime she gets hung up on something - she had bare back because the roosters take advantage of the fact that she's caught on something on the ground and can't move - and once she started losing mobility there's another hen or two that are picking on her so she would stay in hiding behind a cage on the floor, caught in the holes/wires, and wouldn't come out.

I def think you did the right thing and I'm sure her quality of life is going to be better. IBest of luck and good job being so brave.

 

[needmorechickens!]

Ruth, you did a great job and I know you only did it because you had to help her. It had to be hard to make the decision, but I think you made the right one!
Great Job!

~Rebecca

 

[MissPrissy]

Wow, Monique. Just WOW!

 

[wyliefarms]

Great job!

Sounds like you can do more than a vet!

Sarah

 

[Toast n Jelly]

You're very brave

Here's hoping that all goes well now and that she can sand bathe like the others

 

[ruth]

The weirdest thing about the whole thing is that the leg, while still on the chicken, was dark and discolored and kind of black looking. We cut it off and it got light and flesh colored. The toes didn't uncurl but it looked alive when before it looked dead.

You can see in the first pics of her that the leg is dark, much darker than her good leg. It was almost black when we cut it off, I go to take a picture later and it's flesh colored.

Isn't that really weird????? Now watch me have nightmares about that foot/claw coming after me. O.K. I watched too much Dark Shadows as a kid (showing my age).

 

[ozark hen]

I have got to tell you that when I first started reading this my stomach was in knots and my toes even curled up.

Bravo!! Your are awesome to do this for her. I wish I could be so brave.