My Tilley, dying

[Charles H]

Hi everyone - I am in Adelaide, South Australia, and have just joined BackYard Chickens a few minutes ago.

I'm sorry, I'm probably not posting this according to rules, in the right place, but I am very upset. Tilley, my (not even quite 3 years old) Isa Brown hen is now lying motionless in a carton full of bedding in my heated lounge. She was OK yesterday, but I found her collapsed on the floor of her house this afternoon, between the two nesting boxes.

She hasn't laid for 6 months, but I didn't think anything of it when she was standing in a nesting box when I let them out at 8AM this morning (I also have a little white chicken called Luna, of indeterminate age - I "inherited" her 3 years ago). She's breathing, but utterly motionless, and completely collapsed in a way no healthy chook would be.

Please, does anyone know what could strike so quickly, and how I can keep her comfortable, if at all, until she passes away? Sorry, I'm unemployed (got laid off in April) and I can't afford a vet to put her to sleep - well, I WOULD anyway, but my wife would kill me. She won't respond at all to offered water or food.

Please, can anyone help? I'm not familiar with these forum-things (but I thank whoever for providing such) - if anyone wants to reply, could you PLEASE also send it to my email address, so I KNOW I'll get it? It is:

[email protected]

Thank you...

Charles

 

[Peep-Chicken]

I feel very bad for you and your chicken. Here is a link, see if it helps http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/ Welcome to BYC!

 

[Charles H]

Thank you, Peep-Chicken. I can't make sense of that huge diagnosis list, sorry, but I thank you dearly for it. I suppose it is difficult to know what has happened to my Isa Brown chicken, Tilley. She moves a few millimetres when I stroke her, but that is all. I don't want to pick her up, in case I hurt her. Dear little Tilley... **** my ignorance here. She had a good life having the run of my back garden, laid lots of eggs until 6 months ago, and enjoyed all the treats I gave her and Luna (my surviving little white totally un-tame chook) - I just hope she is not suffering, and I wish I could take her to a vet, and get them to put her to sleep, but I can't afford it.

Charles

 

[cjatthefarm]

I'm sorry to hear that your chook is in distress. It is sad. But they do die....We all have been there. Some can afford to do the vet thing; some are able to 'put them out of their misery'.

But, I had a two & a half year old leghorn die just last week. I wasn't able to end her suffering; but I placed her in a pet carrier in my air cooled coop, with food & water. I wasn't seeing anyone pick on her; but I didn't want that for her.

If your chook is as comfortable as possible, you can be happy with the care you have provided.

That is not enough for some; I understand that. My hen took another day & a half to die......I don't know the suffering. I couldn't bring myself to end her life myself. I have tried the pithing method-not sure of spelling. But had horrendous results once--that was enough for me!

Again, I'm sorry you are going though this, it is hard to loose a friend.

 

[DDNONIN2016]

So sorry Charles H

 

[drumstick diva]

since she hasn't laid an egg in months maybe she is egg bound, or having some female problem that can't be fixed without surgery. Sometimes tho chickens just die from a heart attack like people. Maybe she had one and hasn't recovered. I'm very sorry to hear this. I know you are suffering also. Vets charge as much for animals ,as doctor do for people. even if they know nothing about chickens.

Is there a chance you could call a vet and ask what he would charge under the circumstances?

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Hi and Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Charles H, and

! Happy you joined our community! So sorry to hear about your sick hen. Hope you found some good information on helping her out! Good luck to you!

 

[Charles H]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Drumstick Diva (thank you for your advice about possible egg-laying problems, etc) - I was just about to call a vet and ask about charges for putting a chicken to sleep, when I read your reply, but it is only 8:30AM here, and I just checked: in the last 20-30 minutes, Tilley passed away. It is not going to be the same in the back garden without her constant companionship. Rest in peace, dear little Tilley. Three years was such a short life, but you enjoyed it, and I hope I made you as comfortable as possible yesterday. Thank you for all the eggs, but far more, thank you for being my friend. I miss you, sweetie.

Charles

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!