Fox attack. Quick, painless ways to put down a hen? UPDATE

[Miss Sebright]

I lost one hen last night to a fox, and when Pheonix didn't come to roost I thought sshe was gone to. I found her this afternoon and examined her; she has a hole at the base of her neck, and a huge scab about six inches behind her wing. She's a brown Leghorn, about a year old. I think she's in pain, and she has little will to live. She just stands there slightly fluffed up. Are there any quick and humane ways to put her down?

 

[prissyfarmer]

you would be surprised how a chicken can bounce back after an attack. one hen i had was attacked and had all the skin pulled off her neck just hanging off. i simple cut it off, gave her a shot of pen. and put her in the milk barn under a heat lamp. after a few days of babying she was great. that was last year, she is now one of my best layers. she always layes in the milk room, like it is her gift to me ..haha

 

[chickenzoo]

She might still be in shock. I would isolate her in a quite area, tend to her wounds and see just how severe they are. I wouldn't do to much today as she might go into more shock, perhaps just clean them off softly and apply neosporin etc.. Perhaps give her a baby asprin in her water to help the pain or an antibiotic. If you have to put her down, then the broom stick method is pretty quick and no or very little blood.. I've had roos with their scalped peeled off to the skull and you could see the bottom jaw move..... he survived with a little TLC.

 

[WhispersToChickens]

I had one get half its wing torn off and another lose a wing and a duck that was scalped..all lived...youd be amazed what a little neosporine and rest would do...she might pull thru, they are amazing creatures.

As for a super humane way (and hopefully its not dinnertime) is a paper bag (thinking that they are too injured to move) and then set them in the freezer. They just go to sleep...not quick, but not as bad as chopping their heads off, if its a pet.

 

[dirtdoctor]

I would rather Chop its head off, IT IS INSTANT,, freezing is torturous. I have a Co2 chamber that I put animals down with, FREEZING is not an approved method, Are you trying to help put the bird out of its misery, or yours?

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
I, personally, would not enjoy freezing to death while being stuck in a paper bag. Chopping off the head is the way to go, in my humble opinion.

 

[redhen]

Do NOT freeze the bird.. good god people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Break the neck or chop the head off.. those are the quickest/kindest ways to do it.... instant death.

 

[phaethona]

I've not been in that situation yet(knocking on wood), but I would give it a day or two of some TLC, it's probably very traumatized from the attack and needs to get it's wits in order and know that a 2nd attack isn't pending. If then it seems unlikely to thrive, make it quick and painless, I agree with the head choppers there.

 

[tplummer]

I have had one with skin ripped from the neck. I left her alone, and she healed up just fine. I thought she would die, but she did not die.

 

[phaethona]

Oh and I forgot to add, so sorry for your loss. we lost our first bird yesterday too, its so sad, but it gets easier...

keep us posted on the outcome