She didn't feel a thing in death for which I am thankful. She was breathing very well, but after reviewing anatomy pictures I could see that what we were looking at was her skull and spinal column. The skin was ripped open from the back of her neck and downward. I am fairly certain it was her jugular I had found ripped out and who knows what other damage was unseen.
We wrapped her gently in her blanket, let the kids come down and say their goodbyes, took her out by the fence and let the other girls see her. I was hoping she may perk up when she saw them but she just kept her eyes closed (when mohawk was attacked by a hawk, despite being hurt, she always tried to get back with the flock when they were around). We took her back into the woods and put her to rest.
Kids are going back with the wife to see her resting place and have closure. They're pretty sad. Daughter singing goodbye songs and my son is pretty upset as he is quite sensitive.
If I ever have to do this again (which I am sure I will) a birdshot shell is how it will be done. Our chickens are more pets than actual producers or livestock which makes their welfare and comfort worthy of the expenses.
When deer hunting, the best slug shot you can have is to go through the front shoulders and knock out the lungs, heart and mobility all at once. When hit correctly they die almost instantly. Employing the "knock everything out" I aimed at such an angle that brain, spine, lungs and other organs were hit simultaneously. I expected something more dramatic with the stories of them running after heads chopped off, but she did not even twitch a leg.
She was my wife's favorite bird so now time to take care of the family. Thanks again all.
May she rest in peace.
