Is euthanasia necessary if chicken cannot walk?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

If you have access to a 3D printer you might be able to print something to help her.

 

[lazy gardener]

Making prostheses is an exacting profession. If the prosthesis is not made correctly pressure areas can cause infection and lead to more tissue or bone loss. I would cull the bird to end her suffering. When a pet under our care suffers irreversible damage, the question to answer is, is the quality of life there? Is the animal suffering? Is she able to carry out her normal life functions? Who's interests are being served by keeping her alive?

 

[poseye22]

With what was said earlier, if she cannot take care of herself/ if she can't move around or get to water and food without help, you should either consult a vet for a professional opinion to see if there is something you can do. If you don't have a vet or the money, I would say her quality of life is bad if she can't function normally on her own to get food, water, roost, dust bath etc. I've had experience with a blind chicken, and as much as I loved her, she just couldn't eat and drink as much as she could- she was as thin as bones. Anyway, if a chicken can't live a happy functioning life, it's cruel and selfish to keep them alive just because you love them. In my opinion, I would not spend thousands of dollars on her, and would have her put down if she can't function. It seems harsh, but its up to you to be the judge if she will be suffering or not.

 

[theoldchick]

She should be able to survive frostbite, but if she has other health issues, frostbite might be the least of her troubles. To let live or not is up to you. I have a peg-leg peacock who has no use of his right foot due to a fracture resulting in a slipped tendon. At first, I wanted to euthanize him but decided to give him a chance. He required a hospital cage in the garage, bandage changes, antibiotics and pain meds. He was out of 'intensive care' in two weeks. I gave him his chance and he survived. He now rules the Bachelor pen and will smack a rooster with his deformed foot like a boxer in a ring. He recently learned how to back kick with that foot, and I think he's planning to be a Ninja Peacock.

So maybe you need to give your hen a chance and provide her a hospital cage where she can be close to food and water and not have to worry about being picked on by others. Meanwhile, you can have a fecal performed to see what the reason is behind the diarrhea. Or you can give her one cc of safeguard goat dewormer in the mouth (very carefully). You need to also evaluate the coop and determine why she got frostbite of the foot in the first place, and make the necessary changes to prevent other members of your flock from getting it.

Chickens are tough. Sometimes giving them the most basic assistance is enough to give them the edge to survive. There are several other members here who have chickens with nubs for feet as a result of frostbite. These birds were healthy in the first place and having no toes never bothered them. I say put her in a hospital cage and give her a few days of TLC and see how she does. That way you will feel you didn't simply jump the gun at putting her down.

Good luck with her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post a video of her, how she moves?

Closer up photos of the foot may be helpful as well. If you can, tell us how you are treating the foot along with what type of food she is eating.

No one can tell you if it's time to euthanize her or not. Since you are asking the question though - you are seeing something that is making you lean that way. What you may want to do is to weigh her for a baseline weight - then weigh her everyday to see if she is gaining/losing. Other considerations is she has infection, the loose poop could be an indicator of that or since she is young and weakened she may have something else going on like Coccidiosis. Give yourself a timeline - if she doesn't improve in so many days (that you determine), then go back to considering her quality of life. If she declines further, then ending suffering quickly is the kindest thing to do.

Let me add - Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about letting her go. She is your charge, your responsibility, whatever decision you make is the correct one.

 

[marialynn15]

I had a chick with neurological damage. I kept him alone for over a week looking for some improvement,he would flop and not be able to hold his balance and seemed to be getting worse. I did a lot of research on putting him to sleep. I finally knew it was time and my husband and I did the deed. Very difficult, but I feel we did the right thing.