Is euthanasia necessary if chicken cannot walk?

[MkePainter]

I have a 7-week old pullet whose foot has been lost to frostbite. Two toes have withered completely, and the third seems reasonably intact but does not bend or "grip." The poor thing can only sit flat on the ground, and when she is motivated to go get water or a treat, she stands on one foot and pitifully hobbles to the goal.

Currently she is living in the "infirmary" brooder in the garage as we treat her injuries and keep her warm. However, the outside coop has a traditional ramp for exit/entry, and I suspect she'll not be able to climb that.

Meanwhile, her droppings are runny and smelly (like diarrhea), and I presume that's related to the foot injury somehow—whether because of distress, or because of inability to reach her food and get properly nourished or hydrated.

Please weigh in if you have experience with something like this. Is it reasonable to keep her alive and expect a one-legged chicken to function, or that selfishness on my part— and the better thing to do would be to humanely euthanize?

 

[birdofhermes]

i don't think you would want to be put down if this happened to you. some people go as far as to build wheelchairs or get fake limbs for their animals. i think you need to make things right with this chicken

 

[chickens really]

Hmmm..I personally would Cull the Bird if quality of life is gone. We as people suffer and tend to humanize animals..I always Cull sick Birds. Never easy although suffering is worse.

 

[Lolacan]

To me it would depend on whether she can eat enough herself to not starve to death, even with the food and water close.

 

[Larry Padgett]

Do you keep chickens for eggs and for meat? If she is a pet only and you do not use your birds for meat, you might want to create an environment where she can thrive as a pet. However, if you keep chickens for the purposes for which they were domesticated in the first place, she might be a candidate for human sustenance. There is no dishonor for the chicken or for you, as the owner, should you decide to utilize her for your own nutrition.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

IMHO it is best to put her down and end her suffering. She is clearly uncomfortable and cannot access food or water easily.

 

[IslaBean]

i don't think you would want to be put down if this happened to you. some people go as far as to build wheelchairs or get fake limbs for their animals. i think you need to make things right with this chicken

I agree with this. She still has the right to live.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have a 7-week old pullet whose foot has been lost to frostbite. Two toes have withered completely, and the third seems reasonably intact but does not bend or "grip." The poor thing can only sit flat on the ground, and when she is motivated to go get water or a treat, she stands on one foot and pitifully hobbles to the goal.

Currently she is living in the "infirmary" brooder in the garage as we treat her injuries and keep her warm. However, the outside coop has a traditional ramp for exit/entry, and I suspect she'll not be able to climb that.

Meanwhile, her droppings are runny and smelly (like diarrhea), and I presume that's related to the foot injury somehow—whether because of distress, or because of inability to reach her food and get properly nourished or hydrated.

Please weigh in if you have experience with something like this. Is it reasonable to keep her alive and expect a one-legged chicken to function, or that selfishness on my part— and the better thing to do would be to humanely euthanize?

View attachment 1225442

I have dealt with this a few times. The pullet I had with frostbite on her feet survived, but it only took a few toes, not a whole foot. If I remember right she wasn't ever to the point where she couldn't really move. Can you tell how much exactly was lost? Just the two toes? Loss of both feet would definitely be grounds for euthanasia.

IF she survives she will be likely picked on by the flock and be a hopping invitation to predators.

I can't really say if euthanasia would be best in this case right now. I can't see her behaviour. Still, it seems like the damage is pretty extensive. If I bird cannot walk, then they almost always have low quality of life and it would be kindest to release her from suffering. It takes a long time to treat too and it definitely is not comfortable for the bird.

I had a one legged duck last year. She lost one whole foot to frostbite. After six months of intensive care and help, she seemed to be doing all right. Unfortunately, she somehow snapped the thigh in half on the webless side when I took her outside to bathe in her pool. I tried my best to splint it, but she had changed. She wasn't fighting any more, wasn't moving, wasn't happy. So I had her put down. Tore me up but it was the best choice and I remain certain of that.

 

[Lolacan]

If they lose weight, it basically means that they are not making it. I have a blind chicken who I noticed was being chased around. I took her and her BFF into a separate pen and put food and water in there and never move it. She has quite a good amount of meat on her bones. She's 10 years old. This is working out, I hope for some time.

 

[Star and eclipsa]

Make a prostetic foot for her. Ask a professional to help. If that doesn't work, euthanize her humanely.