Hard decision - cull Thor now or later? PICS added!

[crtrlovr]

Thor's such a beautiful (er... excuse me -- HANDSOME!) bird. I'm so sorry you are faced with this situation. Are you certain it is gout, and not something a vitamin or supplement could help with? I don't want to muddy the waters, or cause you more pain. I just know how much we love the animals in our care, and would do anything possible to make sure they get to live as long as they can, with the best quality of life possible.

 

[zazouse]

OMG...
he is a handsome fellow ,as is his son.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Fairly certain. My vet can't see poulty in her office, but she has offered me advice and answered my questions. We've treated for everything else and it doesn't get better. Been going on for more than a year now, but just recently started getting worse.

 

[gritsar]

Thanks y'all.

I will always treasure the time I've had with Thor. I'm very pleased with the personality of TJ so far. His hormones haven't hit yet. He still peeps like a baby, so I know he'll have to be at least...maybe...16 weeks old or older before he's ready for his new role.

 

[jennh]

Quote:
He protects them still to the point that he watches out for predators and calls alarms. He moves around a bit more in the evenings (I guess like the rest of us, his old age aches and pains are worse in the morning). Yesterday evening I watched him call his girls to some yummy food he had found. He still makes sure that all the girls are in the coop in the evenings before he goes in. I've been helping him in and out of the coop so he doesn't have to jump down the steps. My SD is a bit afraid of Thor; he's not aggressive at all, but he is very large.

We don't have a run. Both flocks free range all day. I have noticed that some of Thor's girls are now hanging around with my younger roo Impy; another insult to Thor's pride. They of course have Impy's protection when they share the same area.

Sounds to me like he could probably wait 'til you get back, after what you have said he is doing. You KNOW if you do it before, you will not enjoy your vacation 'cause all you will do is worry PLUS feel bad because you had to cull him. At least I would.
Do it after. Enjoy your vacation.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I'm so sorry, Gritty. I have no advice, but you have my hugs.

 

[noodleroo]

I'm so sorry. I know you are probably tired of our well wished suggestions but I feel the need to tell you what I know. In humans, wild cherries (or black cherries) and dandelion root are two things that you can ingest that helps break down uric acid crystals in the joints. A person would also want to cut back on meat based proteins to slow the formation of uric acid in the system. I'm not a doctor or a vet, just someone that studies herbs. I have no idea if this would help Thor, but if you gave him a treat of either or both, I don't think it would hurt. My chickens love both of these.

What ever you decide will be the right thing. I'll say an extra healing prayer...for you both...

 

[Happy Chooks]

Oh geez, I'm so sorry! I know how special he is to you. All I can offer is

 

[BooBear]

So sorry to here your big guy is having such troubles. It is sad to loose one that you become so attached to.

It will probably be hard to think about him either way while you are on vacation but to help ease your mind a bit; Impy has already been helping Thor cover the girls and I am sure he will be happy to continue to help Thor out will you are on vacation.

 

[Candiss]

I am sorry, THOR is a beautiful boy. I wish him and you the best. He is still so young, it is sad.