On the mend, but still questions: UPDATE, 20 week old banty wormy as heck,

[casportpony]

Mrs. Murphy continued to decline yestersday, so I knew it was time. Although she ate more that morning than in a very long time, I think her body was shutting down and she was getting weaker.
Thanks everyone for your support, ideas and information.

So sorry for your loss.

Please don't think I'm being insensitive to your situation, but I have noticed that part of the dying process can include a sudden interest in food, so maybe that's what you were seeing? I applaud you for having the courage to euthanize yourself, that's something I still cannot do.

-Kathy

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

So sorry that she didn't rebound. You certainly did everything you possibly could to make her better. It appears it wasn't meant to be.

 

[TeaChick]

wed morning update:

well, she isn't going out today. She ate a little this morning, stools are looser and watery, and she seems to be drinking quite a bit. Fresh garlic and eggs this morning for her. SHe eats a little, stands and her eyes close.

I don't know if she got too close to starvation and needs a long recovery, or if and more likely, there is something going on internally. I want to avoid the stool sample at the vet for $ reasons, but will call to see what the cost is, and whether they can do it here without shipping it to the univ.

I started crying when I read this part b/c this is exactly what my hen is doing. She eats eagerly and then slowly stops and then she closes her eyes like she's sleep-standing.
As long as she gets better, I'm going to let her get better, but if she's worse two days in a row, then I can't let her suffer any longer. If she's worse tomorrow, then I'm going to have to do it then. I just can't let her suffer.
Thank you for posting this thread!
And thank you for giving me the link!
I know that losing animals is part of keeping animals, but knowing doesn't make it easy.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

..... I want to avoid the stool sample at the vet for $ reasons, but will call to see what the cost is, and whether they can do it here without shipping it to the univ.

Many poultry science departments at agricultural universities do free poultry disease diagnosis.

People, call to find out if your land grant university will examine your hen's poop or perform necropsies for free. Then ask what you need to do to receive this valuable service.

Some states (I think Florida is one) even have satellite labs so that no one is ever very far from a lab.

 

[lalaland]

I started crying when I read this part b/c this is exactly what my hen is doing. She eats eagerly and then slowly stops and then she closes her eyes like she's sleep-standing.
As long as she gets better, I'm going to let her get better, but if she's worse two days in a row, then I can't let her suffer any longer. If she's worse tomorrow, then I'm going to have to do it then. I just can't let her suffer.
Thank you for posting this thread!
And thank you for giving me the link!
I know that losing animals is part of keeping animals, but knowing doesn't make it easy.

Teachick, I am so sorry. I don't know if you have had to cull any of your chickens before, if it helps, they go quickly and it can be a kindness.