Urgent!! Natural death or cull?

[OldPetune]

Our chicken is in the process of dying (listless, head down, barely opening her eyes). I'm extremely stressed because I don't want her to suffer, but breaking her neck or cutting her head off seem like traumatic ways to go (for both of us - I am inexperienced and don't know that I would be able to quickly and successfully kill her). Is it cruel to let time take her?

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

In my opinion I think its ok to let her take her time. We as people do this to ourselves when on Hospice. As long as the bird is not suffering and stressed, i say no need to make it more traumatic for you both.

 

[OldPetune]

In my opinion I think its ok to let her take her time. We as people do this to ourselves when on Hospice. As long as the bird is not suffering and stressed, i say no need to make it more traumatic for you both.

Thank you. I just didn't know what was right. She seems to be sleeping. I let her know that I love her and I put her in her carrier, in a dark, quiet room. I think/hope she will die in the night.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

That's the best way in my opinion. Most of my birds are prey via coyotes/fox because I free range. It is rare that I lose one.. but they are so much happier free ranging. Point being that 2 years ago I found a hen that died peacefully where all the hens would go in a sunny patch of grass during the winter. She was OLD I mean 10 years at least, but it gave me comfort to see her in their favorite spot and that's how she died.

Good luck. Losing what we love is never easy or it wouldn't have been love at all

 

[dalasgalas]

Only you can decide what is best for you and your chickens.

 

[palolo]

I have a similar issue, I found a forum where they were discussing insulin to humanely put them down. Does anyone know about this? He said to use 10 IU but not sure how that translates to ml. I also need to know if a 22G x 1" needle works for insulin. Any help appreciated I didn't get a response on the other forum.