Chicken with large head wound after being attacked

[luvsungs]

You have been incredibly strong through all this!
I really admire the directions you been able to take, the steps you’ve taken and most of all, the questions you’ve thought to ask!
Also that you knew when to say you were “in over your head”. It takes a smart person to say that!
The world would be a better place if more adults would just raise their hand and say that!

There is a somewhat gentle method of at home euthanasia, as opposed to the broomstick method, cervical dislocation, decapitation....

One of the BYC members wrote a good article about it.
I’ll post a link to it below.

Someone I know euthanized a full grown chicken recently following these instructions, but she wasn’t a huge size chicken.

For a full grown chicken you’d probably need at least 1/2 a can to a full can of starter fluid. I remember she also said that it comes in different strengths and to buy the strongest kind (highest percentage of ether) plus a spare can.

She also used a plastic storage box with a snap tight lid, like for storing shoes in. Both of these things can be bought at any place that has an automotive section such as Walmart. Starter fluid can also be bought at a lot of gas stations if your parents already have some sort of chicken sized plastic tote with a tight lid.

I can’t stress strongly enough that this method MUST BE DONE by an ADULT and
MUST BE DONE
OUTDOORS!

The fumes are HIGHLY TOXIC and dangerous.

Here is the link to the article for your PARENTS to read.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...re-culling-the-injured-and-sick-babies.72140/

I am sending you 100 hugs.

Thank you so much! I was only able to get through this with all your help. I'll make sure my parents read the article ASAP so our chicken doesn't have to suffer any longer.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Chicken #2 is doing much better. She ate a little bread and peanut butter and is drinking on her own. I'm just worried about how much pain Chicken #1 is in. Euthanizing her is probably the right decision, but what's the best way to do it? I don't think my parents will want to take her to a vet, so I just want to make sure they do it as painless as possible.

I'm very sorry about your hen.

Even if they are sick or injured, it can still be hard to put one down. Once you make that decision, the task at hand needs to be carried out quickly and efficiently. What's best for the chicken, isn't always the easiest on our emotions. Cervical dislocation or the broomstick method are quick and easy to carry out. All you need is a sturdy broomstick or garden tool with a straight handle (I use a rake). Since you are a youngster, I will not post a link to a video here. Sit with your parents and watch some videos on youtube.
The method you use is a personal choice, so whatever decision you make, along with your parents will be the right one.

I'm very sorry you are having to deal with this. You have done a good job taking care of both chickens. Please keep us posted.

 

[luvsungs]

I'm very sorry about your hen.

Even if they are sick or injured, it can still be hard to put one down. Once you make that decision, the task at hand needs to be carried out quickly and efficiently. What's best for the chicken, isn't always the easiest on our emotions. Cervical dislocation or the broomstick method are quick and easy to carry out. All you need is a sturdy broomstick or garden tool with a straight handle (I use a rake). Since you are a youngster, I will not post a link to a video here. Sit with your parents and watch some videos on youtube.
The method you use is a personal choice, so whatever decision you make, along with your parents will be the right one.

I'm very sorry you are having to deal with this. You have done a good job taking care of both chickens. Please keep us posted.

My parents came home last night at midnight, and were too tired to do anything for her. I woke up this morning to find her in so much pain. It looks like there are even more maggots than before, and she was running around flipping her head back and forth. I think the maggot might have gotten to her eyes, because she only moves when she hears something. I feel sick knowing how much pain she's in, but both of my parents are too busy at work to come home and help her, and I'm at school. I have no idea what to do. It's making me feel terrible. I've seperated the other chicken and put her in the bathroom to avoid getting maggots too.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to have this responsibility on your shoulder, as a 15 year old. You have done a great job handling something like this so far. Hopefully, the hen will not suffer any longer. A very sharp knife to cut the jugular has worked well as a method of killing a sick chicken. No method that I have tried has been perfect, including cervical dislocation, but the quickest method that works for you is the best. My husband will shoot them (works well if you live in the country.) I helped a neighbor butcher once, and they used a hatchet.

 

[staceyj]

I’m sorry I’m just now seeing this. I spent the morning at the vets and it took forever.
I am incredibly sorry to hear this and I agree wholeheartedly with @Eggcessive that this is a terrible burden for a young person to have to bear alone.

My kids always complained that their school counselors weren’t very warm people but maybe yours is. Have you ever met yours? Would going to talk to him or her help? Or a teacher you really liked from last year (since its the very beginning of a new school year).

I’m trying to think of options.

I wonder if there are any kind veterinarians in your area who, even if they don’t “treat chickens” would take pity on your situation and euthanize her for free or a greatly reduced price. Do you have an aunt or grandmother who could take you?

Perhaps you might call around after school?
Do you know of any veterinary hospitals near where you live?
Or even a humane society?

Some people cannot bring themselves to euthanize an animal, which in my personal opinion, is a gift to one that is suffering, to put them out of their misery.

Some people don’t agree with this, based on religious beliefs and think that only God should end a living creature’s life.

No matter which way you feel, I would never expect my 15 year old child to carry out this act, and can NOT in good conscience urge you to attempt to do this by yourself.

I am certain that at this point the maggots have invaded her brain. It’s been more than two days. Maggots have a distinct life cycle which depends on ambient temperature, but the short story is that they go through 3 steps of development where they shed their skin and become bigger each time.
There are biological factors taking place right now that will end her life without you doing anything. I can’t imagine that she’d possibly last much longer as sick as she is.

Honestly, I’m praying that by the time you get home from school she will have passed away and if she hasn’t, maybe it would be better if you could go to a friend or neighbor’s house until your parents get home from work tonight.

Feel free to share any of these postings that I’ve written to you with them if you feel that it might help persuade them.
I’ve raised four children and animals have always been an important part of our life, but I am the adult, the responsible owner of them and the stewardship of their care from the beginning of their lives till the end, falls to me.

I’m sending you 100 more hugs.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Well, since you are still young your parents should hold the responsibility of euthanizing the chicken. I think the easiest is the old fashion way..... just have someone hold the chicken while another person cut it's throat to bleed to death. When I was a kid I had to be the person holding the chicken while dear momma slit the chicken's throat and threw it in the pot of boiling water. Death came to the chickens pretty peacefully, a couple of shakes here and there and then their body just slowly stop moving. Better than chopping the chicken's head off and the body suddenly acts like it's possessed and escapes from your grasp, watching it run around and doing flips that would make a Romanian Olympic gymnast jealous.

 

[christwodog]

I, too, am praying that she has passed by the time you get home from school.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My parents came home last night at midnight, and were too tired to do anything for her. I woke up this morning to find her in so much pain. It looks like there are even more maggots than before, and she was running around flipping her head back and forth. I think the maggot might have gotten to her eyes, because she only moves when she hears something. I feel sick knowing how much pain she's in, but both of my parents are too busy at work to come home and help her, and I'm at school. I have no idea what to do. It's making me feel terrible. I've seperated the other chicken and put her in the bathroom to avoid getting maggots too.

I am so sorry you are facing this.
@staceyj has said everything just perfectly in her post.

I too hope for your sake that she has passed by the time you get home.

 

[luvsungs]

Thank you so much for the support. While I was at school, I pestered my dad enough to leave work for a moment to come home and take care of her. I only hope he did it as fast and painless and he could have. If we ever have chicken questions and problems again, I'll be sure to come back here. You've all been really helpful!!

 

[staceyj]

Thank you so much for the support. While I was at school, I pestered my dad enough to leave work for a moment to come home and take care of her. I only hope he did it as fast and painless and he could have. If we ever have chicken questions and problems again, I'll be sure to come back here. You've all been really helpful!!

I hope so too!
Chickens (and to be fair, also ducks even though I don’t have any) are fascinating and complex creatures and this site is the most complex one in the world that brings together chicken keepers of all types from all over the world.
There are forums here that are just for fun too.
It’s a well moderated site, with dedicated Admin people so I think as long as you follow all the normal rules of internet safety, it’s a nice way to have friends.
You could stick around to learn or just to make friends with other kids. There are lots of people in your age range.

Meanwhile all us grownups have enjoyed helping you and are always here for you if you ever need us again just tag us with the @ symbol in front of our name.
Hugs to you my friend,
Staceyj