likely going to put a bird to sleep tomorrow edit: looking into broken leg therapies instead

[ziggywiggy1]

I recently posted about my dogs getting out and attacking my chickens last week. I lost my rooster, but also my boss hen Betty turned out to have a broken leg. She’s been inside for the past week and I’ve been watching to see if it looks like she might be able to live as a one-legged bird but it does not seem that she has much mobility at all. She’s definitely perked up and is other wise very much alive but the break seems to be at the knee, which I was reading doesn’t have the best prognosis for splinting.

Has anyone gone through having a bird put down at the vet? I don‘t have an axe or any large sharp cleavers to try to behead her, and honestly I don’t think I could do it myself. She’s quite flighty and does not like being held down at all and I think I would make it worse. I’ll ask them if they think amputation might work but I don’t think she will have a great QOL.

 

[nuthatched]

Can you get dry ice or starting fluid? I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

If you have a vet close by that will do chickens I recommend that. If you are hesitant, things can go bad and cause her more suffering. If I have to put a chicken down (I know it's a fact of chicken owning) I will be having a vet do it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Even vets who won’t see chickens as patients will euthanize one for you.
I am sorry this has happened - I lost one of mine today. Very upsetting.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Even vets who won’t see chickens as patients will euthanize one for you.
I am sorry this has happened - I lost one of mine today. Very upsetting.

This is good to know. Sorry for your loss

 

[ziggywiggy1]

Even vets who won’t see chickens as patients will euthanize one for you.
I am sorry this has happened - I lost one of mine today. Very upsetting.

I’m hopeful that’s the case, I know my vet sees some farm animals but I don’t know if that includes chickens, I’m just going to go there at 7 am and see if they can fit me in.

And sorry for your loss as well, I‘m still a bit shaken about it.

 

[Weeg]

Does she seem to be in pain at all? What are your treatments thus far? Have you tried asking or wheel chair? Is a vet an option for treatment?
I’m sure you e exhausted all options, this is such a hard deceit make. I just want to get a little extra info to see if I have any suggestions for you. Chickens can be very resilient, @Aunt Angus is caring for a one legger currently. Only you can make the best decision going forward, but I figured I would put this out there anyway. I’m sorry your going through this, hugs.

 

[ziggywiggy1]

Does she seem to be in pain at all? What are your treatments thus far? Have you tried asking or wheel chair? Is a vet an option for treatment?
I’m sure you e exhausted all options, this is such a hard deceit make. I just want to get a little extra info to see if I have any suggestions for you. Chickens can be very resilient, @Aunt Angus is caring for a one legger currently. Only you can make the best decision going forward, but I figured I would put this out there anyway. I’m sorry your going through this, hugs.

I honestly can’t tell how much pain she is in. If pushed she will hop around, but for a few days I had her less injured sister with her and she began pecking at her eyes repetitively and Betty could only duck and would not move away. When I bring her out to the porch with me she stays in one place and even offering crackers to her she will only stare longingly at them, not try to hop to them. I’ve been giving her aspirin every day and just making sure she has food and water within reach. Otherwise she is bright and alert and seems to be her normal self.

 

[Weeg]

I honestly can’t tell how much pain she is in. If pushed she will hop around, but for a few days I had her less injured sister with her and she began pecking at her eyes repetitively and Betty could only duck and would not move away. When I bring her out to the porch with me she stays in one place and even offering crackers to her she will only stare longingly at them, not try to hop to them. I’ve been giving her aspirin every day and just making sure she has food and water within reach. Otherwise she is bright and alert and seems to be her normal self.

The being unable to move is a concern for sure.
If you touch the leg, can she feel it? Would vet care be an option, even if you could just get a diagnosis? Note that some vets may just suggest euthanasia, but I’ve seen some birds doomed by vets get a second chance through BYC.
I would try a wheelchair personally. If she tolerates it, it may help her become mobile again.

 

[ziggywiggy1]

I’m looking at wheelchair making videos, this actually might be feasible for me to do…and I‘m not ready to say goodbye. I might be making a trip to the hardware store rather than the vet tomorrow.