Dying Chicken

[Redschickens]

Hi Helpers,

We have a chicken who is currently dying. When we saw her last night she was in her hen box. My husband went to let all 9 of our girls out today and noticed one hunched over/laying on the ground. Her comb is bloody. She didn't move much when he picked her up and her eyes are closing and opening a tiny bit. My question is this: we don't have a cleaver. Can we just close off the run from the other girls and leave her to pass away that way? How do I know if she got pecked and we have a more serious problem on our hands? We have always noticed "normal" pecking that never really concerned us. They have been closed up more often lately because we have had horribly cold weather and a lot of snow. Are they restless? this is our first go-round with chickens so I'm not sure what to do/not do. Except I know that I need to keep our other 8 away from her as they can become cannibals. I almost puked writing that word. Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Smuvers Farm]

GO to youtube and look up cervical dislocation. Please do not let her *pass away* naturally as she is in pain.

 

[bobbi-j]

A sharp knife can be your friend, too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry your girl is having trouble.

In the egg box late sometimes says egg bound. Deadly fast.

I would want to know that whatever was killing her wasn't contagious. And suggest sending the body for necropsy...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Beyond that at least getting clues to fill in the blanks to what the possible reasons for her failing are... would seem relevant. If you aren't going to last ditch effort try to save her..

I sadly agree that dying slowly isn't ideal. I use a standard knife, no cleaver or swinging it involved. But it wasn't easy and didn't go perfect my first time around.

Sorry you are faced with this.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

tagging for help: @casportpony @BantyChooks @WVduckchick @Pyxis @chickens really

 

[Eggcessive]

When I have one dying, the others will notice, and peck their combs until the bleed. A sharp knife will do the job by cutting the jugular, and cervical dislocation is preferred by many. You can Google “how to humanely euthanize a sick chicken” for more info and methods.

 

[Stayc]

Aww so sorry for you and your girl

 

[chickens really]

Hmmm?.. How much room do that have?..Stress can get them acting horrid and also low protein feed..
So sorry but real info on management needs to be provided. I'm sorry that happened...

 

[Redschickens]

Can you clarify the egg bound part?

Thanks for your kind words
-------------------------------------------------------

Sorry your girl is having trouble.

In the egg box late sometimes says egg bound. Deadly fast.

I would want to know that whatever was killing her wasn't contagious. And suggest sending the body for necropsy...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Beyond that at least getting clues to fill in the blanks to what the possible reasons for her failing are... would seem relevant. If you aren't going to last ditch effort try to save her..

I sadly agree that dying slowly isn't ideal. I use a standard knife, no cleaver or swinging it involved. But it wasn't easy and didn't go perfect my first time around.

Sorry you are faced with this.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Can you clarify the egg bound part?

Thanks for your kind words
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It's when a hen has an egg stuck inside that is too large for her to pass.