Euthanasia advice?

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I know there's plenty of info on here, but I need a little advice on how to put down a bird. Is there a quick hands-off method?

She's shown all sorts of symptoms from gapeworm, to CRD, to impacted crop... Today it looks like wry neck or crook neck. Her eyes are all crazy, and she can't hold her head up. She's lost weight, and hasn't responded to any number of treatments. It's time.

The best way for her is going to be hell on me. I know, this shouldn't be about me.

I need more moral support than anything... I'm not being much of a man here.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I'm so sorry...Do you have a neighbor or friend who would do it for you? I am sure you can take it to the vets office and they will do it for you.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I don't think it's ever easy putting down an animal that you care about.

I'm sorry I can't help you on this one, because I can't do it myself. My FIL will have to put mine down for me.

I'm sorry this is happening to you, and I hope you find comfort.

 

[lurky]

I agree, find a vet. You have to live with it, and it will be easier to pay a vet to take care of this.
I think the fact that you have a heart is a great example of being a man

 

[karen71]

Sorry to hear about your girl

I have had to put some of mine down - actually had Dh and BIL do it - hubby does nto like to do it but I could not -I was going to take to the vet $40 but DH thought it was a lot of money
It appears the the cervical dislocation if the preferred method - I think the ax and neck is probably easier but messier.
Fair warning after the deed is done the body will still move - very heart wrenching if you ask me- but the bird is gone and not suffering- well that's what BIL said - hopefully he knows

Just to let you know I cried a lot when it had to be done- but I could not have the flock infected

more hugs for you -

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Thanks for your thoughts.

Previously, my housemates culled 2 for me, but they had just arrived, and were quite ill.

This one, I've had a for a few weeks, and I've gotten quite attached. Maybe I will just call the vet. There's a reason I'm a vegetarian!

 

[possumqueen]

There are lots of ways to kill a bird, and they're all very hard. The messiest ones are, ironically, the hardest to do, and easiest on the bird. The easiest ones are hardest on the bird.

It's true, so true, if it's a nightmare for you then you are all right, and a good KEEPER of your critters, no matter what they are.

But it's also true that to be a good STEWARD of your critters, that you have to take your nerve in your hands and do it, or have a vet do it, and do it soon, because your girl is waiting for you.

The best thing I ever heard was this little parable (don't remember where I got it):

God looked down at man and said, "You want to know what my job is like? Here." And he gave man a dog. "Now you make the decisions."

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

There are many ways but, a trip to the vet for a lethal injection is going to be the easiest on you. Call a few vets for pricing. It's usually $25 - $40. Well worth it to me....and I'm not rich!

So sorry you have to do this...it's the hardest part of having critters.

 

[Big George]

Ok this is sometimes neccessary so don't let it suffer any longer and continue to possibly infect your other chickens or surrounds. Its hard but I've felt better knowing I've delt with this quickly and humanly.
Paper bag and poultry shrears with take the head right off. drop in, then into plastic back. A very young chicks drop into container or cold water with some dish soap in it. Good luck, I do not mean to sound crass but doing it yourself is the way to go.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

There has been a lot of discussion about this sad topic in other threads. Perhaps when you're feeling more steady you could do more research. I think it's inevitable that at some time in everyone's chicken-keeping experience they'll have to face this issue. That's why I advise all chickeneers to consider their options & resources right from the start, along with setting up brooder boxes & adjusting their heat lamps.

The thing with chickens is that their owners have to learn to diagnose and treat most, if not all, of their ailments & injuries. There are some of us who have professional care that is available & affordable. But most of us must learn to care for their needs ourselves.

Which is but one of the many reasons for the popularity of this forum.

Possumqueen said it best, what's easiest for the bird is often the hardest for the owner to do. I try to keep in mind that my ailing bird is depending on me to end its misery quickly & effectively, and that gives me courage to do it. If it were out in the wild some predator would certainly attack it in its weakened state, and the bird's last moments wouldn't be very nice.

I use cervical dislocation (breaking the neck) to dispatch my ailing birds. And like Karen71 said, there is some reflexive flapping & other movement afterwards, but I know once the neck is broken the bird is truly dead & feels no more misery. It's okay to put them under a bucket or blanket & walk away until they're still.

You can hold the bird's neck down on the ground under a broomstick held firm with your feet and give a good yank up on the bird's legs, you'll feel the neck bones crack & the head goes limp. That's when their wings start to flap & it can be alarming, thinking the bird is still alive & trying to fly away. It's not, it's just reflexes.

I will hold the bird under one arm, grab the head with the other hand, and yank out, then bend the head up. Then I'll let the head hang limp and continue to hold my bird so she doesn't flap around.

I bury my birds at the drip line of flower bushes or trees. That way their bodies help the plant to grow and in that way, they continue to live.

Where do you live? Maybe there's a BYC buddy you can find nearby to help you. I would if I were close.