2 chickens attacked by raccon this morning, saved them both.

[maxpedley]

It's fine

 

[fenwickchic]

I think of all of my chickens as pets, and honestly, I think the hardest thing a person ever has to do when owning a pet is trying to decide what is right for the pet vs. what is right for us. I would only ever cull one of mine if I felt it would suffer needlessly then die. I was forced to make that horrible decision for my cat. I went to get a Main Coon cat but the so called "breeder" sold me an ill and blind kitten. By the time I realized he was sick I was so attached to him I could do nothing but care for him. He literally cost us about $2,000 a year for 5 of the 8 years he lived. I am crying now as I write this. I think he was almost begging me to "let him go" in the end. I was sobbing apologies to him all the way to the vet for making him suffer for so long. I had to medicate him 3 times a day so he could never be apart from me. i put him through 2 surgeries and numerous hospitalizations. It is almost too easy to get extra attached to those weaker (more lovable) pets. I'm saying this here because I didn't want you to think I don't care about your chicken. I do; probably too much.

 

[maxpedley]

And unfortunately the more chickens you see go, it never gets any easier. That bantam that I said about was th 15th bird I'd lost in one year.

 

[Spanishchick]

I'm relieved to know that so many PEOPLE care about chickens and other people!
Thank you all for sharing a part of your lives.

I think I have to cull her but the husband keeps saying she's going to make it. I will sharpen my butcher knife tomorrow and when he's not around I'll cull her. Or may be that is unfair???
My father is a biologist and I grew up around animals but with him things were scientific. It never seemed so harsh with him. I remember he had to put down a horse once because it broke something........he didn't let us watch. I've never killed an animal with a knife. She can hardly swallow. I think it's the right thing to do.
Unless there is a miracle in the morning.

I also have a chicken in the shed who has a cold. She's in the shed so she doesn't get the others sick. The dog and a kitten who my dog has as his child (he's male) are in the shed together and have been for a week now. My dog (he carries the cat around in his mouth and puts it on his food dish).

I should snap a picture of that.... LIFE .. I think we could all use a picker upper. I'll try to get a good one tomorrow.

 

[maxpedley]

I woudlnt cull. As long as she is in shock like she is now she will feel no pain and if she comes out of shock she will heal. Leave er somewhere warm and quiet with water. All is not lost yet.

 

[Spanishchick]

We lost her this morning. I believe she didn't feel a thing Max like you say. A lesson has been learned.

 

[fenwickchic]

A blessing for you. I'm sorry she did not recover but very glad you are no longer worrying about her suffering. Take care.

 

[Spanishchick]

Thank you Fenwick.

 

[maxpedley]

Sorry for your loss. It happens unfortunately. It seems as though older hens don't go into shock as much though. I have a 3 year old hen who has survived 3 fox raids and has been attacked by one of my dogs twice, and it really dosent seem to bother her. In fact 1 time she went into shock after the dog had attacked her the second time and she was in shock for about 1 hour before she layed an egg and decided she didnt want to be in shock and just ran off to join the flock. As the dog has now learnt not to play with chickens she spends lots of time with them and the hen is not scared in the slightest of the dog.

 

[Spanishchick]

Hi Max,
That's probably how the other chicken that was attacked didn't get hurt. She stuck her chest out and we got out there in time to save her. Her entire chest was wet but had no bites or scratches.
She also screamed really loud! I think she is the one who woke us up.
Also, she didn't seem bothered. She's not old but she's not as young and she's at the top of the pecking order.