5 month old chicken won't/can't walk

[Chick-a-dow-dee]

Yesterday I thought thatI may have a pullet that might be egg bound because she just laid down and wouldn't get up. When she walks she uses her wings. Thinking she may be egg bound, I put her in warm water as suggested in other posts and nothing. Yesterday she ate and drank so I put her back in the coop but the rooster pulled her out of the basket she was in and started stomping on her. I quickly pulled her from the coop and have her in a basket away from all the other chickens. Today she's not eating. I'm afraid that she somehow broke her back and cant walk. If she doesn't show improvement then tomorrow I'm going to have her put down. Am I thinking about this right? I don.t want to kill an animal who may be going through some sort of phase. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't want her to suffer but I've also never killed an animal myself. I feel so helpless.

 

[Chick-a-dow-dee]

Sometimes one has to make hard decisions. Today I made one of those. I took Frita, that's her name, out to the coop to see if she'd eat in more familiar settings. Not only did she not eat, I noticed her breathing had become labored. Rather than make her suffer one more day so I could get her to the vet, I asked my dad if he would put her down; he said he would. I told him I would not cry and while he was out there I kept true to my promise, but the minute he left I cried. No one prepares you for the sad part of this exciting hobby and I'm not sure anyone can. But somehow, through this experience, I feel more connected to life and how important it is. In today''s world most of society is so far removed from its food source that it takes for granted what these little animals give to us and how much goes into giving that. I miss Frita, and I will miss looking for her and making sure all my girls are in their pen before I lock the door but I am forever grateful for the lesson she and all of my other chickens have taught me, it has given me a new respect for life and living. I planted a baby orchid tree where she is buried and I will remember a bittersweet life lesson.

 

[seminolewind]

I think you did the right thing for her at the sacrifice of your own feelings. It's very very hard. I've had to do it quite a few times. The times I can't do it I take them to the vet. I give mine a small funeral and a prayer. The orchid tree sounds nice.