euthanize my paralyzed hen

[kevinkeb4]

I really appreciate all the help so far from everyone.I looked up selenium and found that its an element,usually derived as leftover of copper production,amongst other metals.I found a list of foods that contain selenium, and eggs,nuts,beef,chicken,and a bunch more are high in selenium.I guess too much is fatal to livestock,but all animals including humans need a small amount to remain healthy.So for now i'm gong to scramble an egg and feed it to her until my mom comes through for us.I am going to keep researching selenium to find out more about it.I will keep everyone updated as we progress.Thanks again....Kevin

 

[chickensioux]

Yay, I am so glad you are going to try to help her. Please do keep us posted.

 

[kevinkeb4]

Yeah, Does anyone know why she screams when she poops.I noticed that and didn't even put it together until now.She just pooped and screamed while doing it.I am getting a ride from my uncle to get her the selenium and vit E,so hopefully things will get better,but,i'm still wondering about the painful bowel movements.

 

[kevinkeb4]

Hi, I picked up a vitam package for her,that has alot of stuff in it,and E is one of them.They didn't have selenium,except for horses and he said that it would be too strong for her,so i'll keep with the vitamins and electrolytes and if that doen't work,I'll have to get a neighbor to put her down for me.I really dont like seeing her like this,but I dont want to kill her either,so,I' am prayer for her recovery.
Thank you so much,Everyone for the advice....

 

[Chickenmaven]

You are doing the right thing, in my opinion.

We spend alot of time on BYC analyzing these situations and making suggestions. I think that very often we prolong the inevitable. Chickens have very fast metabolisms. They get ill and succumb quickly.

 

[KKatknap]

Hang in there Kevinkeb

Hopefully the Vit E will help. It's good that you are doing your best to help her. Praying that it works for you...

 

[neferset]

Sunny_Side_Up, thank you. I had to do that this morning, well before I saw this thread. I am squeamish about the hatchet for reasons I can't adequately express and one of my little ones needed to be put down. Rather than let my guy use the hatchet, I did it the way you described. I'm not going to get melodramatic about it (though it did upset me) and it's not the first time I've had to do something like that in my life (unfortunately). I was trained to do it, though, for laboratory work (please don't judge me on that--I was a child and it was a long time ago) and it is the most human method barring some chemical means. But I had forgotten about the reflexes and all day I've been badgering myself about it not being quick enough or painless enough. Anyway, thank you.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:

Ohhh, you're very welcome, I'm glad I could help in your difficult situation. I know what you mean, I use a different method for dispatching birds for the table, but choose this less-messy method for dear old laying friends. Kevinkeb, how is your hen doing tonight?

 

[tulie13]

If she's screaming while pooping, something's wrong with her "poop chute". Is she laying eggs? Has she stopped recently? If so, she could be egg-bound.

Search the site for "egg bound". Generally the treatment is a warm bath to relax the muscles, and then you try to help her with the egg (assuming you can feel it and that's what's going on).

Regarding Selenium - many Vitamin E supplements come with Selenium in them. They tend to "go together". You might not be able to find Selenium by itself, but you can probably find Vit E with Selenium.

 

[jjthink]

Being in pain like that, if there's any way to get her to an avian vet rather than experimenting with this or that without knowing what the problem is, I would try to do that. When a being is in pain, every minute can seem an eternity.

JJ