Help! Peacefully putting a chicken Down??

[TheYLWFlock]

I'm so sorry, hate making that decision. You are doing he right thing though. I've heard putting a sack over a chickens head can calm them, but I'm not sure it would work. They don't know what's about to happen, so it's not like they are afraid/worried. I think the axe method is pretty simple, and cant go wrong. They will move after you kill them, but they aren't still alive, it's just nerves. We also sometimes shoot the chicken in the head with a gun, I feel like that is a very instant/painless way to go. Wrapping them in a towel would keep them from moving while you put them down. A few question: How have you gone about with your flock having Mareks? When do you know when to put them down? Do you get new chicks even when your adult birds have Mareks? How many of your birds became affectd? We just recently found out our flock has Mareks..... Hope this helps, again I feel SO bad for you...it's the worst part of raising chickens by far.

Hi, we will probably just do the axe. I’ve known since September, this will be the second one we’ve had to put down. We will have 3 remaining and we are getting 3 vaccinated ones at the end of March.

I have been dealing with Marek's for the past three years and just two days ago put down a sweet rooster who was slowly declining from the disease and refusing to leave a nesting box.

First off I am so sorry you are going through this. I have lost over 2/3rds of my original flock to this disease and currently have 11 birds remaining out of a flock of 38. So I am no stranger to what you are going through.

I cry with every one that I put down and trust me, there is no easy method. I have read about the ether method but have no idea how much you have to use for a standard sized hen. I've always employed a proper calibre bullet to the back of the head just behind the comb. They die instantly. Yes, there is some flapping around. But I am careful to use the right calibre to get the job done. For the rooster I mentioned, I used a 38 as he was a big boy. Yes, the flapping bothers me. I usually sit with the bird, cuddle them for awhile, talk to them, tell them how much I love them and how I don't want them to suffer any longer. Many just lay on the ground where I put them but some want to stand and as I want the one shot to count, I will lay those birds down on the ground, on their breast bones with their feet behind them so I can hold the feet and be a safe distance from their heads. They are not afraid. They have no idea what is happening to them. I make sure to fire a point blank shot It's over in an instant. I just make it my policy to immediately turn away and walk around for a minute, not going back until I am sure all the movement is over. It doesn't take long.

Whatever method you choose make it the easiest one for you to endure because sadly, this will not be your last loss.

As for the question about breeding. No. I do not allow any of my large birds to set eggs nor do I allow any to hatch from these birds. I am hoping to get 6 Marek's resistant Egyptian Fayoumi's next month and these birds will be crossed with my bantam barnyard mixes that have proven to be resistant to the disease in order to further their resistance.

I am so sorry. My soul cries for what you are going throughThe only way to truly understand is if you are fighting this disease in your own flock and frankly, I wouldn't wish that on any chicken lover.

I’m so sorry that you have had to go through this too. It really sucks. It’s a horrible thing. We don’t have a gun, so an axe is the best we can do.

I read on another place that a person uses sleeping pills to put them to sleep first so I think we will try it. She’ll be dying anyways, so it’s just to calm her down a bit.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Thanks for telling me about Mareks, Microchick. I'm really scared and upset about will happen to my flock in the months to come. Not sure what to do, really devastated. How quickly did all your chickens get Mareks? No more of mine are showing symptoms except the last one (the 3rd one) to be affected. We have so many show quality, beautiful and rare chickens that will be so sad to lose. Hoping that not many of My chickens get it. I have many friends who have lost like 3 chickens to Mareks, then the disease just stopped I guess.

 

[SongBaby33]

Can you post a photograph of her?

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Can you post a photograph of her?

Of mine?

 

[SongBaby33]

Of mine?

Yes

 

[microchick]

Thanks for telling me about Mareks, Microchick. I'm really scared and upset about will happen to my flock in the months to come. Not sure what to do, really devastated. How quickly did all your chickens get Mareks? No more of mine are showing symptoms except the last one (the 3rd one) to be affected. We have so many show quality, beautiful and rare chickens that will be so sad to lose. Hoping that not many of My chickens get it. I have many friends who have lost like 3 chickens to Mareks, then the disease just stopped I guess.

I bought a dozen chicks, buff O's and Wellys from an NPIP breeder who bred for resistance in March of 2015. My first bird, a Buff O rooster, succumbed the following June. I began losing birds regularly from that point on. Mostly early on from the chicks they began to hatch in 16. I didn't know for sure that I was dealing with Marek's until two years ago when I connected eye problems with one of my original hens to the disease. My husband is a retired eye doctor and did a microscopic exam of the affected hen's eye and sadly assured me that it was indeed a herpes infection.

At this time I have 1 rooster, 5 of the original Buff O hens left. 5 welly's and one cross bred buff O/welly hen. One is going to be culled soon as she is losing the ability to walk and is walking on her hocks a lot after going broody and me breaking her. Stress is the big enemy I've learned. So right now besides the large birds, I have about 48 local bred bantam barnyard crosses that are doing well. But all are exposed and carriers. My goal is to breed resistance into them crossing them with Fayoumi's.

But losing them does take a toll on me. While I have surviving Buff O and Welly hens, I'm considering culling at least the Buff O's that have been particularly susceptible. I hate to do it and the thought makes me physically ill but watching them succumb one by one is even more sickening. I will not risk breeding them under any circumstances but I am considering breeding a few of the Welly hens to a Fayoumi rooster when he gets old enough as they have been more durable and hatching their eggs in an incubator.

I know how badly you are hurting right now. It isn't easy under any circumstances.

I wonder if an overdose of benedryl would zonk them enough that they would go to sleep?

 

[TheYLWFlock]

 

[microchick]

Oh my. She is so beautiful. I am so sorry.

Marek's doesn't discriminate. I truly hate this disease.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Oh my. She is so beautiful. I am so sorry.

Marek's doesn't discriminate. I truly hate this disease.

Thanks, she really is. Gonna miss her so much. Mareks is horrible. I hate it

 

[Miss Lydia]