Accidentally killed another chicken - lack of self control

[HereForTheChicks]

I think my lack of self-control killed a chicken

One of my chickens was always getting picked on. Tonight around coop time instead of being in the coop she was stuck on the ground: trying to move but her legs wouldn't move. No predators around, no screaming.

Whenever she'd get picked on, the rooster would pick on the top of her head. So when I walked over and saw no bleeding on her head, I tried to inspect her and she started freaking out and flopping around for 20 seconds, then died. A lot of blood came out around her eye, like the inside of her head was bleeding. Only one year old.

I think if it was daytime I would've stayed away to let it work itself out. But it was right at bedtime and she kept trying to move.

 

[Pukkits]

This really doesn't sound like anything you did caused her death. A panicking chicken can die from getting stuck under a five gallon bucket (seriously, there's even posts here about it). From what you described, it sounds like she had head trauma you couldn't see.

I'm sorry for the loss of your hen.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree, I don't see how you can blame yourself. Sounds like she would have died whether you interfered or not. But you might consider getting rid of the rooster and looking for a gentler one.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Chickens are prey animals. By design they reproduce fast, have short, brutal lives, and generally live on a razor's edge between living and dying. No need for a robust immune system or self defense evolution, just out breed what kills the species.

Find that chickenfeederreview.com site and read their info on diseases in chickens. It will make you want to just give up unless you take the advice above. Keep a pipeline of new birds trickling in or go to the batch method like most of us meat bird flock owners use.