Hi again, I thought I’d share one last message in case it may help someone down the road. Because the picture of Ms. Plucky losing weight yet waking up to chirp and “act normal” did not fit together, I did a bit more looking into the surge before death concept.
Why I’m posting my results here because 1. I want to raise awareness that this happens with chickens too, and 2. So that others may be able to spot the signs of a surge and spend time talking, listening, and bonding with their bird instead of pushing more medications and food, and 3. Not feel as broken-hearted, feeling like they did something wrong and killed their pet who was getting better.
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The surge before death, also known as end-of-life rallies or hospice lucidity is a phenomenon when someone on the brink of death, usually so weak that they won’t eat, drink, or even open eyes suddenly appears to feel better, gain consciousness and interest in life, move around independently, and even want to eat or drink. It’s also characterized by the dying, suddenly, wanting to “talk up a storm” and bond with their loved ones. This short burst of energy lasts 1-2 days and is followed by an incredibly fast decline and rapid death.
The rallies may or may not occur in each particular case, but sometimes they occur even in patients where lucidity seems impossible, such as with Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, or patients with severely affected brains. It’s observed a lot more with personalized care, or with loved ones and much less in hospital settings.
How this happens is a medical mystery, as research has to benefit patients and taking biomeasures during and after the surge would decrease the quality of life without substantial knowledge benefits to others. Some hypothesize that during the organ break-down a chemical that is alike to steroids is produced, which allows the brain to regain short-lived functioning. Others think it’s the spiritual gift of saying good-byes to the loved ones and is possible with a damaged brain because consciousness exists outside our bodies.
The reason I’ve heard of this before is because it happened to a stage 4 cancer patient my mom was caring for and so wont forget the disbelief and confusion my mom went through after the lady who suddenly seemed to get better just as suddenly passed.
So, I believe Plucky experienced this type of surge. The day before her death she suddenly woke up, and it felt like she remembered “how to chicken” again. She was curiously looking around, tried to preen herself, drank water and even ate a piece of salad and a few boiled egg crumbs, after weeks of not opening her eyes or eating/drinking on her own. Most importantly, she chirped up a storm! And she wanted to bond - she chirped in protest when I lowered her in her brooder but immediately calmed down when I placed her on my lap and stroked her back. She also vehemently protested being fed or watered, and especially needles for SC fluids.
I was so worried taking her on our out of town trip we’ve planned a while ago and couldn’t cancel but she was so active throughout the trip, and died only once we got back home.
Although I had my suspicions, since she continued losing weight, it still took me by surprise and I relieved that she was over the casp of illness and was going to be okay. So, I became just a tad more careless in handling her, in ensuring she had stable temperature, or affection. I held her on my lap and talked to her a bit, but I got some quails that day and was busy setting them up, so I ignored her last attempts to communicate or be held, as I thought we’ll have a lot of time to do that later, since she was now better. Still, close to her death I did hold her and took her outside to hear the world, and then I was by her side in her death. Aside from the agonal breaths that were unconscious and painless, her death was very peaceful. She just softly stopped breathing, which fits with what I read, - patients who experience hospice lucidity have peaceful deaths.
Although I do wish I talked to her more or held her more in her final hours, and did not bother her with more needles and tubes, I have little regrets or sadness in the outcome of her death, because I know both of us gave it our all, and the fight for her was worth it. Yet, it was best for her to let go at that point. And I feel so very special that she gave me that last gift of lucidity. I don’t want to fall into the trap of anthropomorphizing a chicken, but whether it was intended or not, it was still a gift. It gave me peace, and for my family it allowed them to enjoy the out of town trip without as much worry about her.
So, I hope by reading this account someone in a similar situation will be able to recognize the signs and spend those special last hours meaningfully, opting for palliative care vs treatment, being there to listen, talk, and bond with your pet while it lasts and be at peace when it’s over.
Below are some links about this phenomenon and how to react to it.
Sincerely,
Maria
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nextavenue.org/end-of-life-rallies/amp/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-grief/201810/why-some-people-rally-one-last-goodbye-death?amp
So sorry! 
