Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[BullChick]

To vaccinate or not, medicated feed or not? I usually opt for neither, but I need info (pros and cons) to give my neighbor before I put in our chick order. What do you do?

Because your neighbor is a newbie, I would go with vaccinations and medicated feed (assuming cocci wasn't one of the vaccines) because they are not likely to take the precautions experienced owners take.

 

[Chaos18]

To vaccinate or not, medicated feed or not? I usually opt for neither, but I need info (pros and cons) to give my neighbor before I put in our chick order. What do you do?

I don't vaccinate or use medicated feed but I agree with what MC said.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

That's a possibility, I guess. So far, her leg is still attached, but I have tied it off. I will be heading some a bit early,  You're a stronger woman than I am...

I'm no stronger than you, really. You do what you need to do when the time comes to do it I knew that you'd tied it off already but I want sure if you tied off the whole leg at the joint or if you'd done it near the edge.

I got home and she is still alive and fairly alert, considering. She did drink a bit and eat some pellets and egg when I showed them to her. She seems to want to live, but I feel I will know better in the morning. I may have to euthanize, but I will make that call tomorrow. I think if it comes to it, I would use a makeshift killing cone.

It's a really hard thing, but IMO a killing cone is the most humane. Hubs usually does the dispatching whenever we process meat birds, but I just had to euthanize an old hen with a prolapsed vent. I used our kill cone and it was very peaceful. ((hugs))

Okay, my little hen has been euthanized. It wasn't fun, but I had a new blade and it was done quickly. She was not looking good this morning, and I can't imagine how this awkward injury could has possibly healed. I don't mind a special needs chicken, but she was just suffering. Thats not kind to her. She did squeak a couple times after I cut her jugular, I asssume that's normal right? And some moving around a bit is normal too, I believe.

 

[Chaos18]

 

[BullChick]

Okay, my little hen has been euthanized. It wasn't fun, but I had a new blade and it was done quickly. She was not looking good this morning, and I can't imagine how this awkward injury could has possibly healed. I don't mind a special needs chicken, but she was just suffering. Thats not kind to her. She did squeak a couple times after I cut her jugular, I asssume that's normal right? And some moving around a bit is normal too, I believe.

Yeah, it is normal.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Okay, my little hen has been euthanized. It wasn't fun, but I had a new blade and it was done quickly. She was not looking good this morning, and I can't imagine how this awkward injury could has possibly healed. I don't mind a special needs chicken, but she was just suffering. Thats not kind to her. She did squeak a couple times after I cut her jugular, I asssume that's normal right? And some moving around a bit is normal too, I believe.

Yes, that's all normal. I'm sorry you had to put her down (((HUGS)))

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Okay, my little hen has been euthanized. It wasn't fun, but I had a new blade and it was done quickly. She was not looking good this morning, and I can't imagine how this awkward injury could has possibly healed. I don't mind a special needs chicken, but she was just suffering. Thats not kind to her. She did squeak a couple times after I cut her jugular, I asssume that's normal right? And some moving around a bit is normal too, I believe.

Yeah, it is normal.

Thank you so much guys for your support and kind words. I really appreciate it. I know you all have been there. I don't have anyone in my circle of friends that has been here, and my husband can hardly hear me talk about it. I am very happy to say that if/when the raccoon came by last night, he left hungry. I made sure all of the younger chickens were perched on "roosts" (also known as a ladder) away from the edge. I put more cinder blocks around the bottom edge, and then I physically tested the edges for gaps or loose areas, twice. Everyone was safe this morning, except they were upset they couldn't come out and free range. I won't be home until after dark, so they are all going to have to be nice and get along today. Can't wait until I have a more permanent setup, but I'm happy with I've done so far. Also, got more building scraps from the still-being-constructed garage next door. I definitely have enough for some smaller roosts, nesting boxes, and maybe enough to make a chicken supplies shed next to the coop.

 

[LadyBehir]

Zippy, Dupli, and Cate are getting dispatched today. Husband is tired of the rooster noise (me too) and Cate has not laid an egg since August. She was not very productive even when she did lay. First time processing for us. I am a little (ok, a lot) nervous about this.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Zippy, Dupli, and Cate are getting dispatched today. Husband is tired of the rooster noise (me too) and Cate has not laid an egg since August. She was not very productive even when she did lay. First time processing for us. I am a little (ok, a lot) nervous about this.

So sorry, I just went through this, this morning. Will your hubby be doing the deed, or will you? My thoughts are with you.

 

[fisherlady]

Zippy, Dupli, and Cate are getting dispatched today. Husband is tired of the rooster noise (me too) and Cate has not laid an egg since August. She was not very productive even when she did lay. First time processing for us. I am a little (ok, a lot) nervous about this.

Being nervous is understandable, it is not simple to go from caring for them to dispatching...I have faith that you will be good and the process will be hard for you but you will get through by knowing you are doing what needs done.