Hard Loss of a beloved Hen; advice please!

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. Everyone has told you the truth, you did what was best, a few moments of suffering is better than days, she is at peace now. I am glad you reached out to these kind people because a lot of times the people around us don't understand how a chicken can be as dear a pet as a dog or a cat.
You have to work through this grief like any other. Take it a day at a time, don't be afraid to cry, it is normal. Try to replace thoughts of guilt with positive ones. Tell yourself as many times as you need to, that you did what was best. She did not suffer for long and is not suffering any longer. try to do things to distract yourself so you can get past this.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and understanding. Only chicken people can understand the grief of putting down a sick hen that was so loved. She was 1 in a million. I will think of the words that were spoken and look toward a route of recovery. I do have comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain or suffering. She lead a very happy and spoiled life. I just hope she can forgive me. But i might have to work on forgiving myself first.

Thanks again. It is so comforting knowing that folks here understand.

Here is the last photo I took of her. She loved getting rids in the wagon.

Miss Katie

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

She looks like a very much loved pet. I have no doubt that she loved you and thanks you for ending her suffering.

 

[SplashyDashyChicksHatchi]

My goodness, I'm so sorry, I'm not sure it will help but I know what that is like.
When I was younger and my family owned turkeys we eventually had to kill them for meat. The people who bought the turkeys came and killed them on our lawn that same day. I felt so upset and cried for hours.
Another instance of loss was when two young chicks we had died prematurely of an illness we could not specify. I found the youngest dead in the hay.
Just know that you are not alone in this experience. All members on BYC have had at least one loss and you can always talk to them.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss, but just know that you did the very best for her.
It seemed like she was very ill and suffering and I know that now she is feeling much better now that she is not in pain anymore and won't ever have to feel pain again.
You were a great owner I can tell, and keep telling yourself that.
If you need a sense of memory or a memorial for your losses, you can go here where people can help you feel better every day.
Once again, my condolences.
Splashy

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

She looks like a very much loved pet. I have no doubt that she loved you and thanks you for ending her suffering.

I hope she knows that all I wanted to do was end her suffering.

 

[True Patriot]

Saying goodbye is never easy. You had a hard choice. And you stuck with your decision. It's never easy to do what you did. I'm a lifelong Hunter and I never make that decision lightly. Do not dwell on what you perceived as mistakes. The fact that you had the love and strength not to fail speaks greatly about you. Focus on the fond memories. The pain will fade, don't let the love fade with it.

 

[featherhead007]

Losing a beloved pet is hard, having to take the life of her is much harder. You did a very unselfish act, and your hen, I'm sure, loved you very much. SAD but you don't have to stop being sad about it. I still miss my roo who was killed a year ago God Bless You

 

[featherhead007]

My Beloved rooster, "PEEPS" Rest in peace

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had to cull a hen that was mortally wounded by a hawk. I had wanted to dislocate her head because I'd read that was the quickest, easiest way, but after several tries I couldn't get it done correctly. Ended up having to use a branch lopper to snap her neck. I felt terrible I couldn't do it faster or "the right way," but my hubby wasn't going to be home for a few hours and even if the vet agreed to put her down it would be at least a 30 minute drive. But even though I'd done the best I could it took me several days before I could accept that at least I acted and finished it as quickly as I could, so she didn't suffer any longer than that.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

I had to cull a hen that was mortally wounded by a hawk. I had wanted to dislocate her head because I'd read that was the quickest, easiest way, but after several tries I couldn't get it done correctly. Ended up having to use a branch lopper to snap her neck. I felt terrible I couldn't do it faster or "the right way," but my hubby wasn't going to be home for a few hours and even if the vet agreed to put her down it would be at least a 30 minute drive. But even though I'd done the best I could it took me several days before I could accept that at least I acted and finished it as quickly as I could, so she didn't suffer any longer than that.

Your experience sounds a lot like mine. I guess in the end the important thing is that we finished the job as quick as we could. It is so hard to take the life of a beloved feathered friend. I understand your pain. Thanks for sharing your story. It's nice to know that I am not alone. Sorry for the loss of your girl. It'd so hard.