Caring for my hen in the end

[BlindLemonChicken]

Zoey went outside in her favorite spot in the sun and laid down for a nap, and never woke up.

That sounds rather lovely actually

 

[Bawkbok]

That's what dogs do; they go off somewhere by themself to quietly pass away.
I guess without our intervention a chicken would do the same, I don't know. Nature has a way of taking care of things.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It's a difficult thing to experience. Hugs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Suggestion. Hold her and tell her ... it's okay to .. go. Say goodbye, tell her you love her and will miss her. Release her in your heart.

 

[Donolson]

I have a 7 year old barred rock who I discovered had water belly in March. I have been draining her since. Sometimes I’d get 400 mls and 2 weeks later another 400 mls. Then she’d be fine for 6 weeks. Recently I haven’t had to drain as much. I drained her about a month ago and took maybe 100 out, none has come back. I figured the lack of fluid probably wasn’t a good thing. It was our thing, I’d bring her inside and feed her watermelon while I drained her belly.

Laverne has done wonderful throughout everything. She chases and eats mice, is bossy with the other hens. She’s my first chicken so she gets special attention.

Well my rooster mounted her yesterday and I could see she never got up. I thought he’d killed her. She’s an old lady, hasn’t laid eggs in a long time and when I picked her up I could tell she was weak.

I think this is the end. She cannot perch, she falls down. I have her inside on my island. She is eating and drinking. But then goes back to sleep.

There’s no fluid to drain. I think this is the end for her and just want to make sure I’m keeping her as comfortable as possible. View attachment 4229767

Sounds like you have given her a long and good life. It’s always so hard to part with these our feathery friends. When I have a hen that is near to departure, I give them a warm Epsom salt bath to help soothe and relax them then dry her off and make her as comfortable as possible. Sometimes they will just die in my arms and other times when you can tell that the suffering will be prolonged, I will gather the courage to help send her off. There are a couple ways to accomplish a quick and painless cervical dislocation. It’s instantaneous and painless ( for the hen) and you can lovingly see them off and end their suffering. It’s your choice. She is a well loved hen and whatever you decide you know you have given her the best life she could have had. Thanks for sharing. We sympathize with your dilemma and know you will do what’s best for her.

 

[Jtaranc]

Thanks for all the encouragement yall. Just wanted to update you guys. Laverne slept a lot for a good 2 days. We were waking her up to get her to eat. Yesterday her comb brightened and she feels a lot better. My husband takes her outside for “walks” and sunbathing and when she naps he brings her back in. She’s clucking and walking all around my house.

I still don’t trust her in gen pop alone. My husband said when another chicken gets close to her she lays down and plays dead. She did go over to her dirt spot and dig for bugs. I don’t know she may just be a house chicken for whatever time she has left. She’s back to pecking the cat in the face when it gets too close to her lol

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Thanks for the update, glad she's feeling better!