How deep to bury a bantam

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I had a hen prolapse a week ago. This morning I found her dead, eyes closed, head under wing, like she just fell asleep and didn't wake up. I was wondering how deep I should bury her? I've only buried one before, but I think I should of gone deeper. She is a tiny bantam (d'Anver, and a little on the small side too). Also, the soil is very dry and hard to dig, so I don't want to go much deeper than necessary. I have it about 9 or 10 inches now, but I had to come in and take a break now, and thought I would ask. Thanks!

 

[Tommy12241]

Well because of predators I bury very deep. No matter the size. I bury about 3-4 feet. Because if i bury shallower than that the next morning you can see where foxes came and dug it up. I dont mind them eating the remains but they will still come back day after day looking for food. And they might find my birds! So bury deep. And compact it down do trap more of the scent in.

 

[speckledhen]

Honey, I'm so sorry she didn't make it. Wish it had ended differently. Poor little hen.

You just bury her as deeply as you can and you can put a heavy rock or paving stone over her so nothing can dig her up, or just put her body in plastic and put it in with the trash pickup (sorry if that sounds cruel).

 

[WaterFowl209]

I would water the area that's hard to soften the ground then dig 12-15" and cover it up and pack it down and you should be fine, I also usually poor bleach on top to keep animals away from digging it up.

 

[Tommy12241]

good idea waterfowl! never thought about the bleach thing.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I'd never heard of the bleach before, I'll try that. I was glad we got rain last night because I thought it would be easier to dig. I was wrong, only soaked about 1 inch down. It is soooooooooooo dry.......

Speckled hen, thanks for all your help with her, I really appreciate it. I'm digging because if my dad was home he would just through her off the bridge, and I hate to see that. So putting her in the trash truck isn't that bad.

I'm just glad she wasn't in pain, she was just sleeping and didn't wake up. She was doing so well, and I thought she would make it, then all of a sudden it just went down hill. oh well, it's for the best.

 

[speckledhen]

All you can do is your best in every situation. You did learn a few things from this experience and in the future, you'll know more how to deal with it if it happens again. Every situation with chickens, even if it doesn't end the way we'd like it to, is a learning experience.

 

[ChickenJerk]

Dumpster.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

We just burn our trash out here (trash trucks don't come out this far), and even though it might smell like roasted chicken, I don't really want to do that.

I buried her about an hour ago, only dug about 2 feet down because I live in the Flint Hills, and guess what I found down there? Big chunk of limestone, what else? I wrapped her in a couple rags and put her down there, then filled it in, packed it down and put (what else?) a big chunk of limestone on top, then poured some bleach on top. I don't think the dogs will find it, and they'll keep pests away, so I think she'll be good. I'm going out later to paint "Amber Feb. 24 2012-July 26, 2012" Just so I can remember. I feel so bad that my poor Buddah (Hawk) has no marker, maybe I'll do hers tonight too.