Ending a life peacefully

[casportpony]

@Molnut, very sorry you hen is ill. As others have suggested, a trip to the vet would be the most peaceful. When I can't take them to a vet I use the cervical dislocation method by using a broomstick.

There is no way to fix her?

Probably not. If her belly is distended with fluid, the fluid could be drained, but that is only a temporary fix. The hen almost certainly has ascites, which can be caused by salpingitis, heart or liver disease, or cancer, all of which are terminal illnesses.

Sending an animal to their death in the wild that will be prolonged and stress inducing is very irresponsible and cruel

It's also illegal.

 

[Ms Clucky]

 

[Bamabexchicks]

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

X2

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Sorry about all the argument, OP, and I'm sorry for your loss.

Every vet and chickens keeper I know suggests various forms of cervical dislocation for at-home euthanasia. This is a peaceful end for a chicken and most critically it's fast. Cervical dislocation can be done by hand or with the broomstick method.

I suggest looking into it for a bit, reading how-tos, articles and watching youtube videos on how to do it. It will prepare you for the moment better than any forum could.

Best of luck.

 

[cottagecheese]

OP, I had the same idea as you did with the sleeping pills and was surprised to never see it mentioned. Until now... I think tube feeding a sufficient dose of sleeping pills dissolved in water would really be the most humane way.

@Ms Clucky , your heart is in the right place, but what would happen in the woods? The hen would be scared, still in pain, and when whatever finds her, it won't prioritize a painless death for her.

 

[casportpony]

OP, I had the same idea as you did with the sleeping pills and was surprised to never see it mentioned. Until now... I think tube feeding a sufficient dose of sleeping pills dissolved in water would really be the most humane way.

I'm not sure this is humane either.

@pitbullmomma, can you offer some advice?

 

[Fishkeeper]

Sleeping pills probably wouldn't work on a bird the same way as a human.
You could see if anywhere near you sells pure ether. Chemical supply places have it. Be VERY careful with it, only use it outdoors, but that's an anesthetic. It used to be used on people for dental things, so we know it's not unpleasant. Put her in an airtight container with an ether-soaked rag, wait for her to fall asleep, and then add more ether and leave the container for awhile. The difficulty is finding the pure stuff that doesn't have harsh additives.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Chickens have been raised for thousands of years for food. Why is that in 2019 all of a sudden people cant manage to cull/kill/euthanize a bird. Something is seriously wrong.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Perhaps you could help her out then?

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Chickens have been raised for thousands of years for food. Why is that in 2019 all of a sudden people cant manage to cull/kill/euthanize a bird. Something is seriously wrong.

Yeah, this chicken is too sick to be eaten. I know they are supposed to be considered food, but its okay if people dont see things the same way. That's what makes our country great: we accept our differences and still together we make a great nation!