Harvey the Great is Dying. . .

[bobbi-j]

Update: Harvey does not eat, does not drink. He goes out of the run, stands asleep all day. He then goes back into the run to sleep some more on the roost. I'm shocked he still has the energy to do that. I'll dispatch him as soon as I am sure of a painless humane way to do so. Even his legs are looking strange. He's had the crooked toes since he was 4 months old and couldn't walk, but it's the white and black colors that bother me. His hens are not paying attention to him much anymore as he doesn't respond to them at all now. I had to go to an appointment this morning, but will be researching now. I'm mentally saying "bye bye" to Harvey. It is so very hard.
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I'm so sorry you are going through this. Do you know of anyone who can quickly and humanely take care of him using a hatchet and stump or broomstick method? It sounds like it's time...

 

[SSFowler]

My huge Jersey Giant Harvey seems to be dying. I see him eating some and drinking but he "falls asleep" just standing and ends up lying down. I go up to him and "wake him up" and he jumps up and acts relatively normal for a few minutes. He jumps on a hen, (I can hardly understand this urge to procreate) eats a bit, drinks some water and 5 minutes later he's asleep on his feet again. I can't find any thing wrong, he is breathing normally, he can eat (but he is not eating much) drinking water too. He is 17 months old and had trouble when young because he grew so fast. At one point he couldn't walk. I gave him vitamins and he was restored. I notice that he is going into the coop during the day and this is not normal for him. I think he is dying. Any thoughts? These photos were all taken today!

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So sorry you are going through this with poor Harvey the Great, he is very beautiful. He may just be a chicken to some people but he is one of your babies. I am sure all of us here understand your feelings.

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[chickendreams24]

I'm so terribly sorry for your impending loss.

I know it's probably too late and you've given up but did you try calling any local livestock veterinarians to see if they would see him. Our local livestock vet has a specific avian vet(although he's now retiring) -since chickens are actually considered livestock it makes sense. Also being a livestock vet things are usually cheaper.

I understand that money is an issue also I totally understand that you are feeling like now is time. I was just wondering if you had thought about it.

I hope you find peace for yourselves and for Harvey in whatever you decide.

We all know that this is a hard decision and that your decision will be in his best interest.

 

[chickendreams24]

Also if you choose to send him off for necropsy I think most labs have a deal for free shipping of the bird to the lab.

When we shipped a bird we only had to pay for a styrofoam cooler and a couple ice packs.

We also had to pay for the necropsy too but many states are cheaper than ours or even free I've heard.

 

[AryaMichele]

I am so sorry. This is extremely sad.

 

[nightowl223]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Do you know of anyone who can quickly and humanely take care of him using a hatchet and stump or broomstick method? It sounds like it's time...

Our sympathy & support are with you. It is always hard to say goodbye, even when it is for the best.

I've had to say goodbye to some favorites in many different ways, from losing a favorite to a particularly virulent form of coccidosis that they caught by (what, through logic and detective work, we decided was) catching an errant fly at some point (and she was weeks past the normal dangerous age for Cocci, too), to holding a horribly wounded favorite Frizzled Banty Cochin mama hen as she took her last breaths (at some time hours after she was injured, like she held on just long enough to tell me goodbye) after a vicious raccoon attack. Under no circumstances is it a feel-good situation, especially if it's a death you must bring about yourself to avoid suffering - as I have had to do with a couple of new chicks hatched too early, and had stuff (intestines) hanging out that belonged IN the abdomen that had closed up around them. There MIGHT have been a way to save them, meaning trying to reopen the abdominal wall and replacing the intestines, but a little one that tiny? I don't know if I could avoid other important structures to open the intestine!

So, knowing the great pain involved in having to lose a special bird, I send you my deep sympathies, as it appears it's only a matter of time before he has lost his battle with whatever is taking him from you. I do hope you have a way to find out WHY he had to die once he is gone. If something (no matter how drastic) could have been done to avoid it, it would be great knowledge to have if it were ever to happen again to another rooster - or even if anyone else on here happened to need said information. Even if it were somethng like making him a capon, which can drastically change how a rooster grows and develops, as he's not actually a rooster any more. Which is why I sure hope you manage to get a qualified tech to give him a necropsy.

 

[hispoptart]

I have just read this whole thread and my heart hurts for you and Harvey , He is such a handsome rooster! I pray for peace for you during this difficult time.

 

[Matzwd]

I'm so, so sorry you are experiencing this. Poor Harvey.

 

[Peepsi]

Just caught up with this thread. So sad for you and Harvey! At least you tried. I didn't realize finding a poultry vet was so hard. I guess many vets just don't treat chickens. Sounds like you gave Harvey a wonderful life. It's time to say goodbye now. He is such a big beautiful guy, and even though I never knew him or saw him, I became attached somehow to him in this thread. Good-bye Harvey. We all love you!