Did I do the right thing? Warning GRAPHIC CONTENT!

[Dawnclucks22]

I agree with what was said above. Sometimes it's better to end an animal's suffering rather than have them go through so much pain. I'm glad your girl got to pass peacefully. As mentioned already, it's more inhumane to let their pain go on than to cull them in peace. Don't feel badly about what you did. You made the right choice.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

You did your sweet girl well. That's the wonderful thing about having dominion over animals: We get to choose when and how to end their suffering.

But I do want to be a voice for the power of a chicken's ability to heal from horrendous wounds. I didn't photograph Henry the day he was attacked by a coyote, but your photo is exactly how his numerous wounds looked — and one was a sucking body cavity wound.

Below are graphic (warning) photos of Henry three weeks later, still looking rather awful but making remarkable strides in his healing, thanks to raw honey, epsom salt baths and homeopathic remedies.

So healing is absolutely possible, but I ran after Henry within seconds of the attack, carried him home from where he was stashed in the woods, and immediately got to work trimming feathers and dousing his wounds with honey. In your case, your hen may have been attacked the day you left and her wounds festered for two days, complicating recovery, as indicated by the presence of pus.

Three months later Henry's wounds have completely healed and he's walking again.

I'm only sharing this with you to show you what's possible. But I had no way of knowing the outcome, and he never had pus anywhere in his wounds or his droppings.

You were very brave sending her off peacefully like that, and with your upcoming trip you made a good decision.

GRAPHIC IMAGES

 

[Hivoltage]

You did your sweet girl well. That's the wonderful thing about having dominion over animals: We get to choose when and how to end their suffering.

But I do want to be a voice for the power of a chicken's ability to heal from horrendous wounds. I didn't photograph Henry the day he was attacked by a coyote, but your photo is exactly how his numerous wounds looked — and one was a sucking body cavity wound.

Below are graphic (warning) photos of Henry three weeks later, still looking rather awful but making remarkable strides in his healing, thanks to raw honey, epsom salt baths and homeopathic remedies.

So healing is absolutely possible, but I ran after Henry within seconds of the attack, carried him home from where he was stashed in the woods, and immediately got to work trimming feathers and dousing his wounds with honey. In your case, your hen may have been attacked the day you left and her wounds festered for two days, complicating recovery, as indicated by the presence of pus.

Three months later Henry's wounds have completely healed and he's walking again.

I'm only sharing this with you to show you what's possible. But I had no way of knowing the outcome, and he never had pus anywhere in his wounds or his droppings.

You were very brave sending her off peacefully like that, and with your upcoming trip you made a good decision.

GRAPHIC IMAGES

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Wow, chickens are tough. We had a hen attacked by something and found her in the front yard and looked dead. Horrible wounds. 1 month later and plenty of Blu-Kote, she is laying eggs and feathered out. She has been in a tub in my office. I believe the Blu-Kote fought off any infections.

 

[sourland]

Given all conditions you made the proper and humane decision. I commend you.

 

[TxAg11]

Wow, thanks for the experience and kind words, y'all. That brings us a lot of comfort and means a great deal. I will continue working on designs to keep my hens safe from predators. I feel like I could write a book by now "100 ways for a chicken to die in the suburbs". Sheesh... First hawks, then Marek's, then this.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You did your sweet girl well. That's the wonderful thing about having dominion over animals: We get to choose when and how to end their suffering.

But I do want to be a voice for the power of a chicken's ability to heal from horrendous wounds. I didn't photograph Henry the day he was attacked by a coyote, but your photo is exactly how his numerous wounds looked — and one was a sucking body cavity wound.

Below are graphic (warning) photos of Henry three weeks later, still looking rather awful but making remarkable strides in his healing, thanks to raw honey, epsom salt baths and homeopathic remedies.

So healing is absolutely possible, but I ran after Henry within seconds of the attack, carried him home from where he was stashed in the woods, and immediately got to work trimming feathers and dousing his wounds with honey. In your case, your hen may have been attacked the day you left and her wounds festered for two days, complicating recovery, as indicated by the presence of pus.

Three months later Henry's wounds have completely healed and he's walking again.

I'm only sharing this with you to show you what's possible. But I had no way of knowing the outcome, and he never had pus anywhere in his wounds or his droppings.

You were very brave sending her off peacefully like that, and with your upcoming trip you made a good decision.

GRAPHIC IMAGES

View attachment 1214581

View attachment 1214574

View attachment 1214582

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Wow, thanks for the experience and kind words, y'all. That brings us a lot of comfort and means a great deal. I will continue working on designs to keep my hens safe from predators. I feel like I could write a book by now "100 ways for a chicken to die in the suburbs". Sheesh... First hawks, then Marek's, then this.

This would be a very good book!!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

This would be a very good book!!

Awesome book title!! Seriously!!!

Write it!

 

[TxAg11]

In between my job and all of my other hobbies, I think it'd take me several years to make the time haha.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

You have chickens!!! No other hobbies necessary now!!!