- Dec 18, 2017
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Our cockrell is pretty elderly (almost 7 years). In his early days he was very fiesty - I have the scar to prove it! - but in the past year or so has lost much of his bounce.
In recent days he has struggled to walk, especially when first released into the run, falling on to his belly and struggling to get up. He does eventually.
For the last few nights he hasn't been unable to climb up the ramp into the hen-house, and is instead lying outside on the ground. It's unseasonably cold in England at present and in our rural area is expected to drop to -8C (about 17F).
We've checked his legs and neither seems to be injured or diseased. He doesn't seem to be unhappy, or being picked on. Nonetheless I am wondering if it might just be time to despatch him as he's clearly struggling.
Obviously there's no simple answer, but what factors do others used to make this call?
In recent days he has struggled to walk, especially when first released into the run, falling on to his belly and struggling to get up. He does eventually.
For the last few nights he hasn't been unable to climb up the ramp into the hen-house, and is instead lying outside on the ground. It's unseasonably cold in England at present and in our rural area is expected to drop to -8C (about 17F).
We've checked his legs and neither seems to be injured or diseased. He doesn't seem to be unhappy, or being picked on. Nonetheless I am wondering if it might just be time to despatch him as he's clearly struggling.
Obviously there's no simple answer, but what factors do others used to make this call?