Should I put my rooster down?

[BantyChooks]

x2

X3. I am sorry.

 

[kubotafoot]

Chickens have a very strong recovery after illness and/or disease. I helped a neighbor nurse 5 hens that were fox attacked back to health, and let me tell you.....they were really ripped up. I'd have put them down, but the neighbor doesn't believe in killing a thing (bugs included) so we worked to rehabilitate them. Amazingly (to me) they all took time, but did well and were back in the main coop in a few weeks. Personally, I'd give him a few days, but there comes a time when being humane over rides false hope. I wish you well.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with BJ. I have nothing to add to her post, as well as Sour. These difficult decisions are never easy, but good animal husbandry is about doing what's in the best interests of the animal and the flock.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I wasn’t 100% sure where to post this so I’ll do it here..




I have a rooster who is two years old, he hasn’t been doing well at all this winter. It’s been really cold and he got too cold and was almost frozen. So I brought him in the house for a couple weeks, and he got a little better but I noticed he had/has been having difficulty using his legs. So I put him in the garage for a few days before putting him back outside, he seemed the same. So out he went. I put him in the coop in a large dog crate for a day, and the following day I let him out. Now all my hens pretty much ignored his presence, as well as my ducks, but, the second my goose saw him he pinned him in the corner of the coop and started biting his neck... I did already have a feeling my gander wouldn’t be happy to see him (they have quite the back story, and while my gander may sound like a huge jerk this all started because my rooster used to chase him and spur him and the ducks), but I honestly think if I let my rooster out with him he will be killed. I also noticed that his legs are worse and can barely stand(he doesn’t have any parasites I think it’s just his legs having been frozen). Anyways, my question is, with all that in mind, should I give him time to get stronger and get them to get along/re-home him, or just put him out of his misery?

Sorry if this wasn’t very well written

In my opinion I would just look for a new home for him. If he has a chance at living a long life, I would give it to him.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

In my opinion I would just look for a new home for him. If he has a chance at living a long life, I would give it to him.

I went out earlier and he wasn’t able to stand. I ended up putting him down.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Chickens have a very strong recovery after illness and/or disease. I helped a neighbor nurse 5 hens that were fox attacked back to health, and let me tell you.....they were really ripped up. I'd have put them down, but the neighbor doesn't believe in killing a thing (bugs included) so we worked to rehabilitate them. Amazingly (to me) they all took time, but did well and were back in the main coop in a few weeks. Personally, I'd give him a few days, but there comes a time when being humane over rides false hope. I wish you well.

Thanks you. I had actually given him over a month but there was little to no improvement. Today he was unable to even stand so I put him down.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

I went out earlier and he wasn’t able to stand. I ended up putting him down.

 

[lazy gardener]

Hugs to you. Know that you made the right decision, and move forward. Sometimes doing what is right for the animal is hardest for the human.

 

[LRH97]

I went out earlier and he wasn’t able to stand. I ended up putting him down.

I commend you for making such a difficult decision (sounds to me like it was the right one). It's one everyone will have to make if they own any type of animal long-term. One of the few downsides to owning animals, I'm afraid. But remember: life goes on and he's not in pain anymore. You've done your job.

 

[bobbi-j]

You did the right thing. You gave him a chance, and that means a lot.

I have, in the past, tried to "help" sick and injured chickens and other animals. It seemed I ended up just prolonging their suffering. Why did I do it? I think to make myself feel better. Even if the animal could have had a full recovery a month or two later, I feel it's kinder to not put them through that. As an animal owner, I am responsible for their health, well being, and ultimately life or death decisions. It's hard, sometimes, but we do have to keep their best interest in mind.