Hen with Mareks--Euthanasia

[theladysings]

I'm devastated. One of my hens is showing all of the signs for Mareks and is not showing any signs of improvement.

I've kept her separated from the flock (in my house where it is warm) in a large dog crate for the past week and her symptoms are only woresening. I've given her warm Epsom salt baths, water with vitamins, different mixtures of crumbles and fresh fruit/veggies/seeds, held her for hours in effort to take her weight off her legs etc. Her right leg is completely paralyze with no signs of injury or disease and her right wing is mostly useless to her now too.

I just lost my job last week and literally cannot afford to take her into the vet for euthanasia. I don't think I have it in me to chop her head off or break her neck. I've heard of another method that involves baking soda (?) and a Styrofoam box but am not sure if that is humane. I could really use some advice right now, I'm at a loss.

 

[Bird momma of 5]

I'll keep you in my thoughts! We are going through the same thing as well. I didn't hear about baking soda though, I'll have to research that one! Have you had to deal with Mareks before??

 

[Islander11]

Chopping off the hens head is very messy, but also a little bit quicker than snapping It's neck. I would recommend breaking the chickens neck. To prevent mess and also accidents that could happen. (hitting the chicken with axe but not chopping its head off etc.)

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I'm so sorry to hear about your chickens.

If her leg is paralyzed, she is likely stationary?

I use a pellet gun, .177 calibre placed at the back of the chicken's neck at the base of the head and pointed into the middle of her head. It takes only one shot, there is usually very little blood if placed correctly and you aren't looking at the bird in the face, which is very difficult. Always have extra ammunition if things don't go correctly. But it's a point-blank shot so it's very hard to miss. That is how I dispatch adult chickens. It is my preferred method to dispatch birds and animals because I find it's an easier route and less disturbing while being very effective.

Here is a link that was discussed not long ago. It started with euthanasia of chicks and morphed into a broader euthanasia topic.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/killing-chicks-that-are-hurt.1220949/

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So sorry you are facing this.

Not just the illness of your hen but losing your job. When it rains it pours.

I have the skill from processing cockerels and so I would use a cone and cull, and completely disagree about it being messy if you contain it appropriately. However for someone with NO prior experience I definitely do NOT recommend trying you first time on a beloved hen. It could be very traumatic to yourself.

How old is she?

Some people use a sling to take weight off the legs.

I did have a bird I saved for 2 weeks in denial about Marek's and hoping for a vitamin deficiency, knowing there would be no acceptable excuse for deficit since I don't diminish nutrients of my feed with empty calories. Seems even harder to cull after you worked hard to save their lives. But I knew I could not support a special needs bird long term and that it wouldn't be fair to me or the bird. Aside from going against my own personal rule about keeping the flock strong. 3 weeks after the first presentation another bird (both juvenile) displayed symptoms and I culled immediately. Those were the only two losses out of 82 birds. Might have been a mild strain, I'm not sure.

There are some things that present like Marek's, though according to my state vet in UC Davis they said it is everywhere. New Castle's I think, and pretty sure you already know the nutrients one.

If you know of anybody that is willing to help you near by... that would be nice of them!

I haven't tried it, but here is one link...
http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It should be noted that their will be an automated nerves firing response when death does occur. In my cone we call it the death jerk. But that is where the saying "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off" came from. This is the part that is most disturbing to my family. If it's unexpected can make you think you've done something wrong. It takes a few moment to pass.

Agree when we had to dispatch a terribly hurt cat, using (probably a 22 rifle) there was little to no blood.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm devastated. One of my hens is showing all of the signs for Mareks and is not showing any signs of improvement.

I've kept her separated from the flock (in my house where it is warm) in a large dog crate for the past week and her symptoms are only woresening. I've given her warm Epsom salt baths, water with vitamins, different mixtures of crumbles and fresh fruit/veggies/seeds, held her for hours in effort to take her weight off her legs etc. Her right leg is completely paralyze with no signs of injury or disease and her right wing is mostly useless to her now too.

I just lost my job last week and literally cannot afford to take her into the vet for euthanasia. I don't think I have it in me to chop her head off or break her neck. I've heard of another method that involves baking soda (?) and a Styrofoam box but am not sure if that is humane. I could really use some advice right now, I'm at a loss.

I'm very sorry to hear that your hen is not doing well. So sorry about your current situation too.

If you feel that she is suffering and in pain, then putting her out her misery is a kindness.
We all do things differently, so you find what works for you, but also keep in mind that whatever method of euthanasia you choose, it should be the quickest and least painful method for the chicken, not necessarily the "easiest" on the human heart. For me, the "broomstick" method (cervical dislocation) is what I use.

With each method there is going to be some sort of nerve action as @EggSighted4Life mentioned, so just be aware of that.
Here's some information for you. http://www.poultryindustrycouncil.c...delines-for-On-Farm-Euthanasia-of-Poultry.pdf

 

[happyfrenchman]

I am sorry to hear of your difficulty.... the best way (for me) is to chop off the head... wringing the neck is always difficult. The bird struggles and it is unpleasant at the best... With an axe... it is easy to tell if you did it right... no question about it.... Hold the chicken upside down by it's feet til it calms down, and maneuver it's head over a stump or something and then one good chop. I think you pretty much have to destroy the bird if it has Mareks.... be brave. It is something a chicken owner has to confront to do what is best for one's flock. I wish I could help you. I have heard and tried many ways and the axe is (IMO) the only one that is clearly a death blow. I do it as a one man operation. One hand on the axe and the other holding the chicken. That way you can coordinate your actions safely. With two people it might be easier as long as you don't get hurt. Be ready to give it a second whack as sometimes it is not a clean cut. (It is generally always a fatal cut, but I keep chopping until I get separation... I Get a feed sack ready to drop the decapitated bird into it... After the chop, watch out for blood, but then, right into the sack. I do not let them run around without their heads. Nothing good about that. I feel the sack is a little more dignified.

 

[bonsaiherb]

Agree with the difficulty of putting any animal down, but sometimes it is far kinder to do so than allowing it to suffer. Unfortunately, some vets are also incompetent - I had a dear friend who raised prize winning Churro (Navaho) sheep. I helped take care of them for years.
He had brought in an outside Ram and it infected all of his flock with hoof rot - a horrible and crippling issue that makes for a lot of extra care.
He too was afflicted with bone cancer and before he died he wanted to kill some of the oldest suffering sheep. The VET botched it and afterwards admitted she didn't know their anatomy. (was injections) It was a gruesome three time attempt and Verle was crying watching the long and painful process.
Later I took the shotgun and killed the other two.

Sometimes it is better to ask a friend to do the job for you. Be it by ax or cervical dislocation - have someone else do it.
BTW "I've heard of another method that involves baking soda (?) and a Styrofoam box but am not sure if that is humane. I could really use some advice right now, I'm at a loss."
You are talking about creating a carbon dioxide atmosphere with say the use of vinegar. That might work with small chicks but I doubt it would be quick for a mature chicken. How they die, I have no clue - it would be similar to carbon monoxide poising. Needed oxygen cannot be taken in when in a C02 or N. atmosphere.
Not something I would do.

Finally, if you do cull that mean hen or rooster do it out of sight or hearing of the others. That is just plain cruel - especially if you are raising chickens that seem to be leaning towards Buddhism. Mine won't eat crushed baby snails, worms or other live offerings I give them.
Insects yes, but if it is of a higher life form they let it go. DARN!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If this hen Lives that doesn't mean she is healed it only means that for the rest of her life this hen will shed Marek's disease virus with ever new feather that she grows this will result in more and more cases of Marek's Disease in your flock.