Hen Versus Car: How will I know if it's time to euthanise?

[SpottedCrow]

Oh bummer! Poor birdie...
I like that you have a preset up for iso...I'd be up a creek and running around like Mike the Headless Chicken if any of my girls got sick...
If it was my bird, I'd wait it out. If we have a broken leg, it can take 4-8 weeks for the bone to knit. Can you feel if there's a break or will she not even let you do that? Chickenmania, I think I would've dislocated the VET's hip and see if he liked it!un

 

[Spydrworks]

One of the best ways to determine if there's a fracture is to feel both hips and legs at the same time and feel for abnormalities in the injured leg while comparing it to the good leg.

If there is a fracture, you can wrap the bad leg up to the bird's body and use gauze to keep it in place. It'll look weird, but will help to limit movement in the injured leg so the bone can heal quicker and keep it as straight as possible.

As of deciding when to euthanize an animal...when that animal is in non treatable pain or is very sick and has lost its appetite with an incurable illness. That's what I go by. Different people will have different opinions and views on such a subject.

 

[CranberryBirds]

Well, sad news.

I put the hen down today. She had that look in her face that just said "I'm done." Her wattles and comb were really dull and "bad" looking and her eye was very tired. She wouldn't even eat oatmeal.

Now I feel kind of bad that I just didn't do it on Sunday and spare here these days but I guess we never know, right?

Thanks for all who gave advice. I guess we just all do the best we can but in the end, the risks of free-ranging are there. I don't regret the decision to free-range, though.

 

[65browneyes]

Sorry to hear she's gone. It's my feeling you did the right thing.

I had a hen last November that became ill, and I did much the same thing you did. I put her in the infirmary and nursed her as best I could, hoping for a good result. I'll always miss her, as I'm sure you'll always miss your lovey.

 

[bigzio]

cranberrybirds, sorry to hear about your hen.

I agree that the risks of free ranging are worth taking. The flock is much happier and healthier when they can be normal chickens.

bigzio

 

[chicknmania]

So sorry to hear the bad news. At least you tried. And you really can't blame yourself for trying, cause there's just no guarantees.

 

[CarriBrown]

I'm so sorry to hear about your hen.

You did the best you could and I'm sure she knows that... She is now free ranging in the sky!