Dying pullet :-(

[nanawendy]

I'm so sorry, She is a lucky bird to of had it so good with your family. I'm sending you ALL loving vibes.
I don't know what I would do, I suspect I would have to give the job to another after loving her good bye as you have done. Again, I am so sorry.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
This thread is gut-wrenching. For the first time since we've owned chickens (last summer), we had to cull two birds this week. My brother has experience with meat birds, so he showed my husband on Sunday how to do it and then my husband had to send another one of our flock to Chick Heaven yesterday. The anticipation of the end was worse than the actual ending. I coudn't bear the thought of them using an axe, so my brother did the neck-pull and bend method. It was fast, efficient, the end was instant and there was no drama. Just a peaceful end. This is without question the worst part of this hobby. I can't imagine it will ever get easier.

 

[technodoll]

Thank you so much for your support everyone... BYC'ers are a very important part of my world since I have chickens (July 2009), I have gained valuable knowledge from the collective minds and hearts on here, and your understanding and hugs mean more to me than you can ever know.

This is the very first chicken that I cannot save and the guilt is as heavy as my heart.

Perhaps it will get easier with time, I sure hope it will be.

DH has accepted to learn how to cull out of kindness to end suffering, he will do that for me even if it kills him, too.

I've never been able to face death in any shape or form, so yes while owning chickens will no doubt toughen me up, I doubt ever to be able to end a life. That's why I am very grateful to my friends for their support, help and encouragement. If all else fails, there are good vets around here that I can turn to.

You guys are the best.

 

[welovechickens]

I know how you feel......thankfully we, too, have a good friend who is willing to do this for us anytime it is needed. If we didn't have anyone else willing to do it, then I would learn how, but it would be terribly hard for me.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
I did my first one and it was awful. My DH did the second. We agreed that it was too violent for us, and the 3rd in my chicken-owning life went to the vet. I think DH would still do it, or I, if absolutely pushed to for ending suffering. But the vet will be our first choice from now on. Technodoll, chickens will toughen you up. But you will always have a heart

 

[TriciaHowe]

I had to euthanize a 2 week old chick a couple of days ago due to a very bad leg issue. Not splay leg but an actual joint problem. After trying to splint for over a week chick was no better so I had to make the call. I like to use the carbon dioxide method for chicks. I take a large pot with tight fitting lid and put our steamer basket it there so no liquid can touch the chick. I put the chick in a sock so it feels comfortable and calm and won't struggle which then goes into steamer basket. I add 2 cups of vinegar and then 3 tablespoons of baking soda, stir quickly and then place on the lid. There was one chirp and then nothing.... Just to make sure, I left it in there for 5 minutes and then removed chick so my daughter could bury him (her wishes). To me it was quick, should be painless and was bloodless. I euthanized an adult hen last year using ether. That worked well also....I did cry for a few minutes after. I became attached to him and was hoping his legs could be fixed. I don't like taking a life but there was nothing left I could do for him

 

[technodoll]

Julia crossed the bridge at 1:30pm this afternoon.

She went quickly and painlessly, without a protest - as if she welcomed the relief.

I said my goodbyes for her this morning in an hour of tears, now that she has crossed the bridge there is a sense of peace and closure.

Doing the right thing doesn't mean it's easy, but we have to love them that much.

My friend is an angel for helping me with this - he grew up on a farm and is no stranger to death and merciful killings, even he was surprised at how Julia just accepted her fate, so calmly and... gratefully.

RIP sweet girl, mama will always love you.

 

[hoosier]

I am so sorry for your loss. At least you know that you gave her the very best life a chicken could ask for even if it was short.

 

[technodoll]

Thank you... she was barely 9 months old.

My friend took one look at her and was amazed she had hung on for this long.

I suspect cancer ate her alive :-(

 

[Kittymomma]