ADDITIONAL INFO: Ugh. My Margo. Again.

[Shadrach]

Well done Michelle. You've done the right thing and I admire that you did it yourself.
Even if it didn't go perfectly you now have one really hard to get and really costly tool in your chicken keeping kit. It will serve you better than bottles of antibiotics, give you more confidence and flexibility and while it's a unpleasant thing to have to do, you did it for her and if you believe in anything, believe that is what Margo would have wanted.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Hello Michelle.
I think it may be time to help Margo die.
There are so many things that Margo's symptoms could represent. Reproductive system failure, with or without an infection, could be responsible as could various cancers of internal organs, heart liver and kidney issues; the list is endless.
I know it's hard not to try everything within your power to save her but there comes a time when keeping her alive is for your benefit and not hers.
I had to kill Blue Spot a few weeks ago. She was 9 years old and I had watched her lead her tribe, hatch chicks, many of the fights she had and watching her decline was heartbreaking. I hope I made the decision early enough. Her last days were spent with her family and not in confinement and her end was quick and painless.
If your other hens don't bother Margo, put her with her friends for her last hours and at night euthanize quickly.
Blue Spot's last day. Blue Spot is the blond hen.
View attachment 1827965

@Shadrach, if you could DM me any info on euthanizing your birds, I would appreciate it. I've now been in a similar situation a few times and wish I had the emotional strength and knowledge to carry out a quick and painless death. It's really the mental image that scares the heck out of me (how I'd get it out of my head). Thank you in advance, and I'm so sorry for the loss of sweet Blue Spot.

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

I'm so incredibly sad for your loss. I woke up this morning and immediately was thinking of you and your baby. I'm shedding tears for both of you. Big hugs and we, I'm sure, are all relived she is no longer in pain.

BTW, where are you sending your birds in for the necropsy?

 

[Kiki]

Yes. She’s in the fridge now.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Man are you courageous.
I’m so sorry that Margo is gone, but now she doesn’t have to linger.
And like Carol said both she and you don’t have to suffer any more.
You send her fed ex overnight on Monday. With cold packs. The completed form and fee has to be included.
https://cahfs.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/submitting/submit-specimens

 

[dalasgalas]

Gosh I'm so sorry this happened to you and your wonderful chicken. Hoping you get concrete answers after the necropsy.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

Thank you all for your kind, loving thoughts. Logically I know this is going to happen, but it still hurts.

So I’ll just say it, even though I’m a little embarrassed. ***Warning*** GRAPHIC WORDING AHEAD.

I accidentally decapitated her. I read that people sometimes do a final tug to be sure during (?) the flapping. Well, I pulled the whole head and neck off at the shoulders. This was after she appeared to still be breathing after the first attempt. What a mess. Poor Margo.

Do I still send her in, and now that it’s Friday, should I wait until Monday to ship so the body stays cold? Can’t imagine e ice packs lasting all weekend in summer.

I’m with a vet school and have a close working relationship with the pathologists. Send her in anyway; they won’t judge. If you decapitated her, then you gave her a very fast and clean death. So sorry that you had to do this final act of love for sweet Margo!

 

[micstrachan]

@Kathy Golla,
Thanks. I don’t know about courageous. I felt it was my responsibility. When she was still alive at 4:30, I knew it had to be done. It would have scared my family if she passed and flapped away in the carrier while I was gone at work. Margo was so weak and out of it. Barely alive. Not really conscious, as far as I could tell, which made it less difficult.

Well done Michelle. You've done the right thing and I admire that you did it yourself.
Even if it didn't go perfectly you now have one really hard to get and really costly tool in your chicken keeping kit. It will serve you better than bottles of antibiotics, give you more confidence and flexibility and while it's a unpleasant thing to have to do, you did it for her and if you believe in anything, believe that is what Margo would have wanted.

Thank you. She become glossy eyed last night. Though I suspected death is where she was headed, I knew for sure once she was glazed over. I sort of wish I had brought her into a vet for euthanasia yesterday, but you’re right. Now that I’ve done it once, I have that tool in the event a bird needs to be put down swiftly.

I'm so incredibly sad for your loss. I woke up this morning and immediately was thinking of you and your baby. I'm shedding tears for both of you. Big hugs and we, I'm sure, are all relived she is no longer in pain.

BTW, where are you sending your birds in for the necropsy?

Thank you. I’ll send her to UC Davis. Had an argument with my husband about this last night, but I’m doing it. I don’t spend money on having my hair done, manicures, pedicures, Starbucks, etc... those things most professional women spend money on. I prefer to spend it on my chickens. I’m a walking paradox... professional at work, but more of a country girl at heart.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m with a vet school and have a close working relationship with the pathologists. Send her in anyway; they won’t judge. If you decapitated her, then you gave her a very fast and clean death. So sorry that you had to do this final act of love for sweet Margo!

Thank you.

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

@Kathy Golla,
Thanks. I don’t know about courageous. I felt it was my responsibility. When she was still alive at 4:30, I knew it had to be done. It would have scared my family if she passed and flapped away in the carrier while I was gone at work. Margo was so weak and out of it. Barely alive. Not really conscious, as far as I could tell, which made it less difficult.

Thank you. She become glossy eyed last night. Though I suspected death is where she was headed, I knew for sure once she was glazed over. I sort of wish I had brought her into a vet for euthanasia yesterday, but you’re right. Now that I’ve done it once, I have that tool in the event a bird needs to be put down swiftly.


Thank you. I’ll send her to UC Davis. Had an argument with my husband about this last night, but I’m doing it. I don’t spend money on having my hair done, manicures, pedicures, Starbucks, etc... those things most professional owomen spend money on. I prefer to spend it on my chickens. I’m a walking paradox... professional at work, but more of a country girl at heart.

Have you checked with CAHFS to see if they have any promotions that will pay for the necropsy if you test for surveillance diseases? Many state labs will subsidize necropsies for small producers if they test for diseases of concern like avian influenza or, in your area, possibly Newcastle’s.