I accidentally killed a chicken :''''(

[VanUnamed]

hello,
I feel so sad.. today i killed one of my meat chickens by mistake. It was feeding time in the evening, they are in chicken tractors that are left open during the day in an enclosed electric netted area, when its time to pour feed in their feeder inside the tractor i quickly sneak in and close the door before they swarm me and prevent me from putting their feed in, get in close the door and pour feed. I always be careful that no one is in between the door, today I shut the door with my back facing the door over reaching, a chicken (one that used to be always first) put its head in between at the last second, flopped about and died, i stood there with its carcass in my lap for one hour crying, i feel so bad, I know it was a meat chicken, but he still had months to live, i feel devasatated

 

[Wyorp Rock]

hello,
I feel so sad.. today i killed one of my meat chickens by mistake. It was feeding time in the evening, they are in chicken tractors that are left open during the day in an enclosed electric netted area, when its time to pour feed in their feeder inside the tractor i quickly sneak in and close the door before they swarm me and prevent me from putting their feed in, get in close the door and pour feed. I always be careful that no one is in between the door, today I shut the door with my back facing the door over reaching, a chicken (one that used to be always first) put its head in between at the last second, flopped about and died, i stood there with its carcass in my lap for one hour crying, i feel so bad, I know it was a meat chicken, but he still had months to live, i feel devasatated

I'm sorry to hear that
Chickens can be so quick sometimes and accidents happen. I've shut the door on one of my layers before, thankfully she recovered, but lesson learned, I make sure everyone is out of the way.

 

[drumstick diva]

Accidents have their purpose, they cause us how to change the way we do things. I'm sorry it was a sad lesson.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry it happened Is it possible to turn the power off when feeding the flock, exiting then turn it back on?

 

[Jealous Gypsy]

So sorry to hear this, dont blame yourself. These things happen, if it wasnt this accident maybe a hawk or weasle. It happens we cant beat ourselves up over it, just know to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I had similar happen. We had a chick with scissor beak. I was talking to my neighbor as i out one of the gallon waterers in the brooder. I setbit down without looking below i was facing the neighbor. I heard no sound or anything. That evening I went to do a chexk and realized one was missing. I had placed the waterer on top of scissorbeak. I cried too. My hubby told me not to feel too bad because it happens, i should feel guilty only if it was purposeful and intentional which it was not. I learned a lesson about being distracted while caring for chickens as im sure did you. One that will never be forgotten. Please dont blame yourself too much, you will feel better soon.

 

[Elsveta641]

hello,
I feel so sad.. today i killed one of my meat chickens by mistake. It was feeding time in the evening, they are in chicken tractors that are left open during the day in an enclosed electric netted area, when its time to pour feed in their feeder inside the tractor i quickly sneak in and close the door before they swarm me and prevent me from putting their feed in, get in close the door and pour feed. I always be careful that no one is in between the door, today I shut the door with my back facing the door over reaching, a chicken (one that used to be always first) put its head in between at the last second, flopped about and died, i stood there with its carcass in my lap for one hour crying, i feel so bad, I know it was a meat chicken, but he still had months to live, i feel devasatated

Mistakes happen, dont blame yourself. I have accidentally killed several, I'm clumsy and have ADD on top of it. I'll never forget one little chick who arrived in a shipment weak and dying. I took special care of it and after a week or so it was ready to join the others in the barn. I put it in the nursery pen and left. Later that day I went to check the birds and accidentally stepped on him. He just bolted after me and my foot was already coming down, I fell trying to avoid smooshing him at the last moment. Poor little bugger. That was like 5 years ago and I still think about it sometimes.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[so lucky]

Gosh, I can only imagine how that would make you feel. At least know that the chicken had a good life you provided. And then do what you can to keep the others safe. You are doing fine.

 

[Beccazon]

Awe! Your stomach must have turned instantly. Mine would have too as the others have said, these things happen. It doesn't make them any easier, but it clearly wasn't intended and I'm sorry that had to happen to you.

I had an issue with my flock swarming me knowing I had food or treats so I started spending extra time in the coop/run just...there! Cleaning, chatting, sitting. (Hubby is amused I have a folding chair in my coop). Letting them know I am not just food to attack lol. Maybe that is an option for you to try so your entering the run is not as big an attraction for them? It certainly did not stop them coming to the gate for me but the speed and chaos of their greeting was much less and easier to navigate since sometimes I do not want them out to free-range at that specific time.

 

[Geminiki]

oh boy...I can think back on many times through out my life where accidents had happened. I always try to find the positive in it there always is a positive, some lesson learned something in it. The little one didn't die without purpose in my eyes and I think its beautiful that even though it was intended for food it didn't take away from the fact that you did not intend for it to go at that moment or in such a way. Another positive was clearly it was a quick death...that's something to be grateful for. I wish some people saw this side of those that raise animals for meat. And they say we cannot love animals if we eat them this is proof. It's a life regardless and is to be respected and you did just that. *hugs*