Putting my favourite hen down

[KYMamaHen]

I’m so sorry I couldn’t imagine!

 

[Daffodil12]

I'm so sorry. I had to do the same for my favorite hen earlier this year.

 

[FransGran]

My hen caught a bacterial illness with swollen face. She just didn't get better ever after a antibiotic injection from the vet. So I made myself do the deed today because to be honest I was avoiding it because of how difficult I knew it would be. I love raising hens and caring for them but having to put them down just torments me. Shouldn't this get easier at some point?!

I’m so very sorry. I had to put a hen down this week too. I can’t stop crying about it even though it was the best thing. I didn’t even want to type that before. I truly hope it does get easier

 

[Whitnicrob]

I’m so sorry. We had to cull 4 young pullets today. I cried the whole time. I know it would be even more difficult if it were my favorite. Hugs to you, bless your heart for doing the right thing.

 

[Birdielee]

I'm sorry. No, I don't suppose it ever should get easy to kill our little buddies, even if we do view them as livestock. They're still our little buddies with personalities. It's part of our job, though. If we can't help them to get better, we can't just let them sit there and suffer. I'm sorry she didn't pull through with antibiotics.

 

[Birdielee]

Wow. I'm sorry to all the rest of you, too!


there's a lousy imitation of a group hug, which actually seems to be in order on this thread

 

[chicken1234]

I drove her an hour to the vets, I guess I thought when she looked fine five days after the injection that she would be fine but she just got worse again. The vet said that was the only thing they could do and if it didn't work that was all they could do. Anyways I'm feeling better today knowing I did the right thing but it is frustrating. All my other girls are fine so I don't even know why or where she caught this. After the vet gave the shot he said don't put her back in with the others cause she can look fine but carry the illness.

 

[sourland]

You did the right thing. It's part of the responsibility that we as caretakers must accept. It does get easier, but not significantly in my experience. It's more an acceptance of what must be humanely done.

 

[FransGran]

 

[Kirbys Hens]

No it doesn't get any easier. Whether it is a dog, cat, chicken or anything that you love, it is never easy.
I am most likely going to have to go through it tomorrow as I have one of my girls very sick at the moment. She is at the bird vet overnight tonight again having treatment and waiting for the latest result to come through. They suspect she may have a blood cancer as her red and white blood cells are very low, losing weight, no energy. They have tried a blood transfusion plus other treatments to try and help. This chicken's name is Daphne. She was a rescued battery hen who came to us the day before one of my two original girls passed away back 5 years ago. I got her as a companion for my original girl Gertie. Although at first Gertie didn't really accept her, they became the best of friends over the years. Gertie is still going at 8 now, but she is mourning her friend. We have 2 others girls who are about 2 years old, but Gertie is missing Daphne. It breaks your heart and people who have not owned chickens will not really understand.