How to put a chicken down..

[chickbird]

Quote:
YOU WORDED THIS RESPONSE, AFTER CAREFUL, LOVING CONSIDERATION FOR A CHICK YOU'VE RAISED. I DO THINK THE AXE IS THE BEST METHOD WE HAVE, TO RELEASE OUR BIRD FROM THEIR PAIN AND SUFFERING. IT IS NOT EASY AND WE ANGUISH EACH TIME WE HAVE TO DO IT, WHEN ALL HOPE FOR RECOVERY IS GONE. WHEN I FIRST STARTED RAISING CHICKENS, I TRIED THE BUCKET WITH THE ETHER AND WHEN THAT CHICK STARTED TO GASP AND WANT TO BREATHE, I JUST COULD NOT LEAVE IT THERE AND THAT IS WHEN WE DECIDED THE MOST HUMANE AND QUICKEST METHOD WAS THE AXE AS WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE THEM TO THE VET TO BE PUT TO SLEEP AT A COST OF 50-60.00. WHEN CARING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THESE CHICKS , OUR DECISIONS HAS TO BE FOR THE CHICKEN EVEN THOUGH IT IS SO HURTFUL AND SAD TO US.

 

[Ms Grit]

I am a little uncomfortable with this being my first post on this site, but I found this site after having to put down one of my hens today. I was searching the internet for maggots attached to a chicken's vent. Her back end area was loaded with them and she could hardly get up to walk. I never noticed anything wrong with her other than a bunch of missing feathers in that area until today when I went to collect eggs and found her laying in the coop. There were two hens on nests, but two nests available. I reached down to pet her and jokingly asked her why she wasn't in one of the empty nests. Then I saw how badly infested her back end was (thousands of maggots swarming 3 inches by 3 inches wide and at least a half an inch thick) and knew immediately what had to be done. She was two years old. I found that a pellet gun at point blank to her heart/lung area did the unfortunate, but necessary deed quickly as she expired in under 10 seconds.

 

[chkn]

Quote:
I just put a rooster down with the pellet gun. He was lame from infection in his knee joints. I didn't know anything about scaly leg mites years ago so I failed to avoid this outcome. He also had an infected toe, probably from fighting our young rooster (his son). He was seven.

I had to separate him from the rest and tried to aggressively treat the infection for weeks but failed. He just got worse, he bled more with each treatment and now he was unable to walk. His son was trying to get at him any chance he could (poor old guy, I had to protect him).

I put him in is favorite spot and fed him one of his favorite treats, fresh bing cherries. Made a couple test shots then put one right behind the comb like someone here suggested. He didn't know what hit him. He was gone and then he did the usual flapping. Believe me, I agonize alot about these things but he went as peacefully as a chicken could go.

Anyway, years ago, this same guy had a maggot infestation on his butt. He had a bout of diarrhea and for some reason the flies got to it. I washed him three times in soapy baths but the worms would come back (disgusting things). I was about to give up and I knew he was suffering.

Someone at the feed store recommended Swat (its for horses to keep flies out). One application and they were gone. I did another one just to be sure a few days later. It's like a jelly and the maggots just suffocate. This rooster never really grew his tail feathers back from it but he survived. I didn't think he'd heal because they were in him and everything.

I know it's too late now and your hen was probably too far gone but this stuff worked like a miracle. This happens more often than people think but it is treatable, it's just that it has to happen pretty quickly. I think you absolutely did the right thing. They suffer terribly in the end with those things.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Thank you for ending her suffering with out undo stress on her.. I am sorry but the gassing seems so terribly cruel to me .. If it is a very young chick I use the freezer method.. Very quick as they have no feathers to protect them .. they just simply fall asleep.. with older birds a sharp hatchet or even a shovel.. I had to use a shovel on one of my birds as i couldnt stop crying long enought otrust that i wouldnt cut my nahd off, just placed her on the ground and one swift push down and done.

 

[wagoncab]

I have never seen this done but a friend of mine used to take Ether and spray it into a cloth and put it over the chicken's face. I guess it would go very quickly.

Cindy

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:
The OP took care of what needed to be done.

Thank you for your participation, everyone. Lots of helpful, kind-hearted and wise posts in this thread...