Freezing weather, dying chicken, mites

[NatJ]

I've broken the necks of songbirds who were attacked by dogs and it's just horrifying. I might have to put on my big girl panties and do it, though.

You can also kill a chicken by cutting off the head.

Some people use loppers (things like scissors with extra-long handles for cutting tree branches).

Some people use a hatchet, machete, or ax with a chopping block.

I prefer to cut the head off, because it's easy to check whether I did it right: the head is completely separate from the body, so it must be dead, even if the body is still moving around.

 

[Farmerbetsy]

You can also kill a chicken by cutting off the head.

Some people use loppers (things like scissors with extra-long handles for cutting tree branches).

Some people use a hatchet, machete, or ax with a chopping block.

I prefer to cut the head off, because it's easy to check whether I did it right: the head is completely separate from the body, so it must be dead, even if the body is still moving around.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
you're brave
I don't think our loppers are very sharp
we might have tin snips, those are really sharp.
It's just so hard since she was a beloved pet.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've used loppers (my first experience with broomstick method failed, so that was what I grabbed as a backup) and while it didn't cut off the head, it broke the neck at the base of the skull so it still did the job and the bird was gone in seconds.

If you decide to go with loppers, snips, etc - make sure you get it under the feathers, and just cut down and quickly and firmly as possible.

 

[NatJ]

you're brave
I don't think our loppers are very sharp

I typically use a machete or a hatchet, because it's mentally easier for me to take a good swing (through the neck into the chopping block) than to line up something and squeeze it closed. I have no idea why I feel that way

I hold the chicken with one hand (both feet & both wingtips), and gently lay the head & neck on the chopping block. If the chicken won't hold still with their neck sticking out, I just keep gently trying, keeping everything as calm and gentle as possible, until the one hard chop (because one good chop is far kinder than chopping "gently"!)

My way works for me, and I've tried to describe it in case you or someone else might also find it useful, but I know the "best" method varies from one person to another. The best method for YOU will be the one that YOU can do correctly.

we might have tin snips, those are really sharp.
It's just so hard since she was a beloved pet.

Yes, it is especially hard with the ones that are pets.

 

[TropicalBabies]

My first one I gave her sedatives, then used sharp loppers. Not easy no mater how but at least drugging her she was a little dopey b4 she got it. ☹

 

[rosemarythyme]

My first one I gave her sedatives, then used sharp loppers. Not easy no mater how but at least drugging her she was a little dopey b4 she got it. ☹

OP's hen looks lethargic enough that I doubt she'll struggle much or notice much. Both birds I've put down barely struggled at all, you could tell they were just done.

 

[TropicalBabies]

OP's hen looks lethargic enough that I doubt she'll struggle much or notice much. Both birds I've put down barely struggled at all, you could tell they were just done.

Just so sad. I am so sorry OP ♡♡

 

[Farmerbetsy]

My first one I gave her sedatives, then used sharp loppers. Not easy no mater how but at least drugging her she was a little dopey b4 she got it. ☹

how did you just happen to have chicken sedatives on hand? what did you use?

 

[TropicalBabies]

how did you just happen to have chicken sedatives on hand? what did you use?

I used a horse sedative. Technically could have just OD her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Lucy has not stood up since we brought her in 36 hours ago. To my knowledge she has not pooped.

If she's not pooped in 36hrs, then she's in a very bad way.
You can syringe or tube fluids into her. She needs hydration, lots of fluids, then introduce wet soupy food. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/crop-feeding.75454/

If you feel she's suffering and in pain, then putting her out of her misery is the right thing to do.