Ending a life peacefully

[Molnut]

One of my hens has been sick for a long time and I had been hoping Nature would follow its course. Her belly has been distended for a while and she is now waddling around. But she is still motivated by food and has been eating and drinking.
This morning I finally had a chance to look at her up close as she could not get out of the coop on her own. My coop is 2 feet off the ground and they use ramps to reach the ground. She is a rescue hen and has been always on the wild side, which is why I was trying not to upset her too much.
What I saw this morning was worse than expected. Her belly is so distended that the cloaca is shut up so I suspect she is defecating internally. She also has lice.
I think it's time. I need to do something. I was hoping that someone might give me some ideas as to how to maybe just give her some sleeping pills so she can go to sleep peacefully. Because of the size of her abdomen I think that any conventional forms of dispatching would be painful for her. Plus I really can't do it! I welcome any suggestion that may help. Thank you

 

[Squishychicken]

Look up the broomstick method on YouTube if done correctly its quite easy and painless I'm able to do it by myself without help and it's quite easy. I use it for our meat rabbits and chickens I need to do by myself.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

One of my hens has been sick for a long time and I had been hoping Nature would follow its course. Her belly has been distended for a while and she is now waddling around. But she is still motivated by food and has been eating and drinking.
This morning I finally had a chance to look at her up close as she could not get out of the coop on her own. My coop is 2 feet off the ground and they use ramps to reach the ground. She is a rescue hen and has been always on the wild side, which is why I was trying not to upset her too much.
What I saw this morning was worse than expected. Her belly is so distended that the cloaca is shut up so I suspect she is defecating internally. She also has lice.
I think it's time. I need to do something. I was hoping that someone might give me some ideas as to how to maybe just give her some sleeping pills so she can go to sleep peacefully. Because of the size of her abdomen I think that any conventional forms of dispatching would be painful for her. Plus I really can't do it! I welcome any suggestion that may help. Thank you

Is a veterinarian a possibility? That's the most peaceful way I can think of. Sleeping pills might not work, and would be extremely hard to give. You also might know someone who hunts wildlife that may be willing to quickly end her suffering.

 

[Kessel23]

I use an ax and a log.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Remember it is your responsibility to end the life if their quality of life becomes too much. Beheading is quick and easy. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do if you own chickens.

 

[Ms Clucky]

call Dr. Jeff from Colorado. The Animal Planet vet 1-303-433-3291. It might be a simple thing to fix.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

call Dr. Jeff from Colorado. The Animal Planet vet 1-303-433-3291. It might be a simple thing to fix.

I would never suggest this. Vets are usually local and a proper diagnosis can only be obtained by a thorough examination.

 

[Ms Clucky]

I don't like killing anything unless I've tried every other option. It was just a suggestion. Maybe if you really don't want to do it yourself, take her out in the woods and let her loose. She might have a few days being happy in the wild.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I don't like killing anything unless I've tried every other option. It was just a suggestion. Maybe if you really don't want to do it yourself, take her out in the woods and let her loose. She might have a few days being happy in the wild.

That is irresponsible and cruel to just let a domestic animal loose in the woods.

 

[dalasgalas]

There are so many ways to cull. I couldn't do the broomstick method or ax method. I used dry ice in a Tupperware tub. Wrapped my little guy snug in a towel and cuddled him while he died. It isn't the best way but I'm a wimp.