neck in an S shape!!

[jodievaughan]

As for azygous’ comment, that’s exactly it. Her tail was completely down, not moving at all, her head was practically limp hanging over the side of the basket she was in, eyes closed most of the time and the times they did open, they really did not look peaceful. Once she started to slightly gasp I knew it would just be wrong to keep trying, she must’ve been in so much pain! Thank you everyone again!

 

[Eggcessive]

Oh I am very sorry. You are doing the right thing to end her suffering. It is very hard to do, but the best for her. I don’t know if you would be up to trying to do a necropsy on her body, just to look for any signs of what might have been wrong. It can be hard to do your first time, especially on a pet. But if you decide to try it, you can take pictures to post here and we can help. Here is a good link about necropsies on chickens, and I would only look at her abdominal organs such as her liver, look for any egg masses, look at intestines, crop, gizzard, or fluid when the belly is opened.
http://web.uconn.edu/poultry/poultrypages/Poultry necropsy manual 02008.pdf

 

[aart]

I could hear a slight gargle every time she tried to breathe so I assume it wasn’t making it down her throat, and then she started gasping for over two minutes. I’ve decided it’s best to end it for her at this point because it wouldn’t be right to make her endure any more of this. Thank you so much for everyone’s help! Hopefully if this ever happens again I’ll be able to handle it immediately and maybe it won’t come to this.

Oh So Sorry! I've done that, then I learned this, put it in your notes for next time:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[jodievaughan]

Ah shit I honestly had no idea about this. Definitely lesson learnt for next time. I think I still made the right decision in ending her misery since she was almost lifeless anyway, but thank you ever so much for that aart! weirdly I’ve done it before in the past and it never caused an issue, which must’ve been putting it in the right place out of luck. For anyone wondering, her death was instantaneous so at least she didn’t suffer much longer!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I am so sorry! Bear hugs!

 

[aart]

I think I still made the right decision in ending her misery since she was almost lifeless anyway

You are absolutely correct....and good on you for not prolonging her suffering.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[jodievaughan]

Thanks so much everyone. You’d think I’d be more skilled than this by now since I’ve had chickens for nearly 3 years, however I only ever had 3-5 at a time so I’ve very rarely had to work with even minor health issues. Some of them are ex bats too, all of them are layers, and I’ve read they’re quite prone to health issues, particularly ex bats. I’ve got myself a chicken health textbook now so hopefully that’ll be useful in the future too, but I know I can always rely on the wonderfully smart and helpful people here!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sorry to hear