Sick chick!

[Shelly2015]

I have a flock of six chickens. I let them out every morning and close up the coop each night. Last night, I found one of my barred rocks lying on the floor twisting her head upside down. I separated her from te flock and put a heat lamp on her. Today her condition is worse. My husband told me to kill her to end her suffering but I don't know how to do it humanely. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mrs. K]

Such a tough thing to do the first time, but I agree with him. It is important to cull.

if the chick is rather young, pruning shears can be quick, and easy to handle for you.

OR sharp knife, pull back on the comb, and slit the throat at each side of the throat. This will slice the jugular, and the bird will just kind of get weaker and die. There may be some death throws, which is violent twitching.

Be brave and get it over with. Maybe you got lucky and it is overwith by now!

Mrs K

 

[Shelly2015]

Thank you for the info Mrs. k. I feel sick to my stomach but I will try to find the courage to do it. If I had an idea of what was going on with her, it would probably be easier to make this decision.
Shelly2015

 

[Mrs. K]

One can spend a huge amount of money on sick chickens, but to be honest, and I know it sounds heartless, but I look at the flock as a whole. Keeping sick chickens is not good for a flock. It can weaken the whole flock.

I do not doctor chickens, I cull. Sometimes they have a genetic weakness in their internal organs, sometimes they ate something, sometimes they just get sick.

On a good note, though, I have had chickens off and on for years, and continuously since 2007, and have had to cull only twice due to sickness. I have over the years, found dead chickens when I opened the coop in the morning. With hatchery birds, I have found that 3-4 years is about maximum lifespan.

While it is kind of sad to lose them, it does open the space up for new chicks.

I love having the flock, keeping a flock. Individual birds in the flock come and go.

Go get it over with, the worst is the dilly dallying. Even though I sound tough, I know exactly how you are feeling.

Mrs K

 

[enola]

I am another flock owner that doesn't treat sick chickens. I have never given chickens antibiotics. I do use wormers and Corid, if the chicken is still sick, I cull them.

 

[Shelly2015]

Thank you for the extra chat. I think it helps knowing you are taking the time with me rather than just giving hasty advice. I will go end her suffering. Thank you.

 

[bobbi-j]

How are you doing? You have had to make a tough decision, but I agree with Mrs. K and Enola. We don't treat sick chickens here, either.

 

[Mrs. K]

Hope it went ok, it is such a hard thing to do.