Did I do the right thing? I feel horrible!!!

[FingerLakesChick]

Eloise is a 2 year old hen that has never been sick a day in her life. Until yesterday, that is. She began the day being very lethargic and spent most of it in a nesting box trying to lay an egg. In the afternoon (yesterday), I picked her out of the box and placed her outside to get her moving around a bit in the hopes it would shake this egg loose and it did work. A bunch of the egg came out of her and then I did have to pull the shell out. She really perked up after that and I breathed a sigh of relief! She drank quite a bit of water and ate a little bit. I've been though this before with another hen and she seems to pull herself through this by the next day. But this morning came around and Eloise was still not feeling good. (This is par for the course I'm thinking because of the other one). And again she stayed in the coop all day in a nesting box. But this afternoon it became very clear to me that this is no ordinary egg bound deal! She just stood in that nesting box sort of holding herself up on the side of the box. Poor girl! So I tried again what I had done yesterday to no avail. She just stood there - sort of wobbling back and forth. Would not drink... even when I guided her beak in to some water... she just stayed that way - like it was all she could do to lift her head up! So I put my finger in to her vent to see if I could help her along and a bunch of stuff came out (urine and some egg by the look and smell of it). It was clear to me she was hurting terrible! So I brought her in to the house thinking warm bath time and time for the hosptial but all of a sudden she went from BAD TO WORSE! She started to gape and stick out her little tongue and then a bunch of yellow smelly liquid came out of her mouth! God I just felt so bad for her! I thought she's going to die! She's going to die right in my arms! God I'm a terrible person for not paying enough attention to her today! But she was suffering so bad, that I took a deep breath and walked back outside and I killed her! It was terrible! I've never killed anything in my life! It was over in a minute - but I just want to die myself! My husband wasn't home! She was the sweetest little girl. She just wanted me to hold her and carry her around with me all the time. I love her.

Please tell me I did the right thing by ending her suffering?
Does anyone know what was wrong with her??

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

I don't know what was wrong with her, but I am so sorry for your loss

It sucks when a beloved pet dies, and no words will make it any easier of a burden to bare, just don't question yourself as to whether or not you've done the right thing. If you gave an honest- to- God attempt to relieve her suffering (which you OBVIOUSLY did) and none of it helped (which it obviously didn't) then you should rest easy knowing you were a wonderful hen-mommy and you clearly did what was best.

 

[sonew123]

oh my goodness you did the right thing..Im so sorry for your loss. you had me in tears...I have yet to go through this but in time I know I will have too for some reason or another...I can't ease you pain but just wanted you to know I would have done the same thing..

 

[Barnyard]

She could have became and internal layer. That there is no cure for. I am sorry to say, but I think you did the right thing. That is never easy to do, but atleast she is not in anymore pain

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

That is a hard thing to do. You are a tough woman

 

[Lil_Chickadee]

So sorry, that sounds rough. I believe in not making an animal suffer and I hope that I can be strong and do the same thing you did if the situation ever happens to me.

 

[FingerLakesChick]

Thank you all for your kind words and sympathy.

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

You did the kind, compassionate thing, helping an animal out of her suffering. I'm so sorry it was necessary, but you sound like a very caring, strong animal momma. (hugs)

 

[FingerLakesChick]

I knew there would come a day! Someday - way down the road! A day when my husband would be home and he would have to do the necessary thing - NOT ME!

Or it would be a day, God willing, that I'd walk in the coop and one would have passed away in her sleep!

I guess we have to keep it in our minds that our pets and/or livestock depend on us for everything (good and bad) and we cannot let them down; be it in life or death.

But man oh man, I still wish I hadn't been the one who did it. I hope she wasn't scared! I hope I didn't make her suffer more!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

You did a very brave thing, not to let her suffer. I'm so sorry for you loss.