And then there were three....

[vantain]

I was not sure where to post this, but “Managing your Flock” seemed appropriate.

I made the hard decision today to put down my sweet hen Merry May. She had been suffering from apparent reproductive issues, and was slowly declining in health. In more recent days, her "bad" days outnumbered her good days, and I felt it was time to end her suffering.

She had had wet stools for the past week, no solids at all, despite all attempts to get things moving in her digestive system. She would drink plenty, but obviously water alone is not going to nourish her. She would eat her feed, but only if I wet it.

I started noticing that she was standing lethargic in the run, most of the day, and would only perk up for a treat of meal worms, which she still loved till the end. She was also starting to sit a lot more, and was losing weight.

It was a hard thing to do, and the first time I have had to do such a thing to a pet. But, I felt it was the right time, and the right thing to do.

RIP Merry May! She will always be remembered for being our sweetest and most affectionate hen. This was our first flock, and she was the best!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry for your loss, but you did the right thing. Good on you for trying what you could to help her along, but also being realistic that she wasn't going to get better.

When animals no longer want to eat or move around, I know it's time.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

My condolences on the loss of Merry Mae. She was a beauty and it sounds like she brought you much joy. I know how hard making a decision in her best interest is, but that's what you do when you truly care for an animal.

Was she a Rhode Island Red/Production Red? I had a hatchery RIR in my first flock that also succumbed to reproductive problems. Sadly, it seems fairly common (at least anecdotally) in production reds.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. It has been a long time coming, and but glad that she is not suffering. Do you plan to get a necropsy or do one yourself to look for what was wrong?

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

So sorry... Goodness this stuff is hard. They don't tell you when you get chickens that you're heart might break... Glad you were able to share the time with her that you did.

 

[Anime2lover]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[vantain]

My condolences on the loss of Merry Mae. She was a beauty and it sounds like she brought you much joy. I know how hard making a decision in her best interest is, but that's what you do when you truly care for an animal.

Was she a Rhode Island Red/Production Red? I had a hatchery RIR in my first flock that also succumbed to reproductive problems. Sadly, it seems fairly common (at least anecdotally) in production reds.

ISA Brown