Help "putting down" my chicken...

[Raekins]

I have a RIR hen and she I believe has become an internal layer.. her rear end has swollen up so bad to the point it is starting to break and I am worried she's just going to explode and suffer a painful death.

Ive been on here looking for answers before and basically Ive read there is not much more I can do for her, warm water didnt work, feeding her extra calcium, little oil around her rear, ect. Pretty much everyone with this problem similar to mine said that their chicken just broke open.

So, I was wondering, is there a less painful way to put down my chicken..? I dont have the guts to snap her neck.. or chop her head off.. I just cant. Shes the only one that lets me hold her and sit with her so she trusts me.. I know, Im weird and it sounds stupid but shes my pet.

Is there anything I can just give her? Food or something that will kill her? I dont know. Maybe pills? lol.. I just cant physically hold her and kill her. And Ive tried finding someone to do it but I live in the city and not too many people know how to kill a chicken.

 

[J-Sanders]

The responsible answer to your question is to take her to the vet and have it done.

I understand that you are attached to the hen and as such won't be able to end her suffering. Although that line of thinking is a bit odd.

Anything that would be lethal to you in an overdose situation would most likely be lethal to the hen at the prescribed dose for you. That is about as close as I am going to go. You get to figure out how to administer it.

Jim

 

[PoultryGirly]

Sorry about your hen...

 

[Gofygure]

It's always difficult, particularly when it's a sweet hen, but you do owe it your girl to end her suffering. A quick chop or using the broom method is instantaneous and humane. Take time to say goodbye, and then steel yourself and just do it. You'll be relieved that you did afterwards and, unfortunately, it's part of life with chickens.

If you really can't, take her to a vet. They will be able to administer a safe dosage and ease her through it. Just remember that no matter how much it hurts you, she's in a lot more pain. You're doing her a favor by preventing needless agony before her death.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

 

[Raekins]

My hen really doesnt seem to be suffering at all right now, thats what makes it hard. She runs around, eats and drinks like nothing is affecting her. She even jumps up on her perch fine too. Her rear just keeps expanding more and more though so Im worried its gonna pop soon.

I can try and make some calls to see if theres any vets that will put down a chicken.. and how much itll cost.. but I doubt I'll be able to afford it. May have to look up some videos on how break a chickens neck and have my brothers friends do it or something.. urgh. Im just worried something will go wrong.

 

[PoultryGirly]

There is always hope! Good luck https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/66650/hen-about-to-pop-internal-layer-updates-posted

 

[Raekins]

What is the "broom" method? Ive never heard of it...

 

[casportpony]

My hen really doesnt seem to be suffering at all right now, thats what makes it hard. She runs around, eats and drinks like nothing is affecting her. She even jumps up on her perch fine too. Her rear just keeps expanding more and more though so Im worried its gonna pop soon.


I can try and make some calls to see if theres any vets that will put down a chicken.. and how much itll cost.. but I doubt I'll be able to afford it. May have to look up some videos on how break a chickens neck and have my brothers friends do it or something.. urgh. Im just worried something will go wrong.

Try calling a local animal shelter or maybe a low cost spay/neuter clinic? If you live close to a state lab, they'll probably do it for free and also do a necropsy.

I'm like you and can't seem to do the deed. I feel for you...

-Kathy
Gilroy, CA

 

[J-Sanders]

What is the "broom" method? Ive never heard of it...

Cut handle off of broom, put across the back of the neck of the chicken, step on both sides of the head of the chicken and pull up by the body. There is a you tube vid on here but you need a youtube acct to watch it.

 

[Gittx]

I understand too well what you're going through. Last week my dog pulled off the leg of one of my young chickens. I called my vet and made the apt. He put the little sweetie down and didn't charge me...I was crying and he just patted my hand. Find a good vet, he doesn't even have to normally treat chickens.