What do you do if a chicken dies?

[CoopBoots]

That makes sense, but I have rocky soil.

Be careful where you dig; don't want to hit any pipes or lines running underground.

I use a hoe or a pickaxe (something with a bit more leverage) to work with rocky areas. A chicken feed bag makes a good surface to put your loose dirt so you can more easily refill the hole afterwards.

As stated above, you can just use the trash. I realize it isn't ideal from an emotional standpoint, especially if your chickens are also pets, but if it isn't safe or feasible to dig that's what I would do.

 

[Themellowyellows]

I just burry them in there favorite spot. For excample, I had my first hen die not to long ago, so I dug a 3-4 foot hole, wrapped her in a cotton towel, put her in there and planted a apple tree next to her. If you have rocky soil then you probably dont have to dig as deep.

 

[HowIsItDone]

I may sound harsh or offend some, but I burn my birds when they pass. I don't have to worry about smelly trash or digging a hole. Also don't have to worry about a critter digging them up. It doesn't need to be a massive fire, just enough to do the job. I haven't noticed a smell when I do it either.

I was considering that, but the fire pit is within view of the coop.

Maybe after dark, when the rest are inside.

 

[HowIsItDone]

I just burry them in there favorite spot. For excample, I had my first hen die not to long ago, so I dug a 3-4 foot hole, wrapped her in a cotton towel, put her in there and planted a apple tree next to her. If you have rocky soil then you probably dont have to dig as deep.

I'm sorry for your loss.
It's the hardest part, isn't it.

 

[Lelilamom]

After 10 years I ran out of places to bury and I have 5 acres of diggable land. So I started walking them out into the woods and placing them under leaves and roots to return them to nature. Make sure your are a great distance away so you don't attract predators.
My two pet chickens have a special place of honor under the maple tree.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I know it sounds morbid, and I guess it is, but now that I have chickens, I need to know what to do with their body, if/when they die.

People with acreage bury them, but what do those of us with smaller properties do?

We don't have Veterinarians for chickens here in Canada, and we can't get 1/2 the Meds our American friends can get.

So, when one dies, what do I do?


HT to @microchick for making me face it.

Trash. Except Munchkin. She may have been a meat bird, but she was special.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Do none of you all have this in your areas?
Can't trash dead birds here.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Do none of you all have this in your areas?
Can't trash dead birds here.

View attachment 3904932

While it does say dead animals that could be blanketed to keep people from throwing their 40lb dog in the trash or goat or cat or etc.
Where i live animal control's protocol for dead raccoon, possum, etc disposal is to place them in the trash can.
I cant imagine tossing a single chicken is much different than the rotisserie carcass or spoiled meat that people normally toss out.
If worried about smells and garbage day is a way off then you could freeze the bird and toss it out right before pickup.
As always, check with your local authority on the matter.

 

[AinaWGSD]

It depends on why they died, and how personally attached we are to them. Also local laws and how closely you care to follow them. Our lot is just under a half acre, plenty of room to bury a beloved hen in the backyard. Honestly, birds I care a lot less about get wrapped in a plastic bag and tossed in the garbage bin. And I will admit to sometimes tossing birds that were killed by a predator in the woods (never near houses I know have chickens).

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Bait traps.

Feed the hogs.

Throw them in the woods and let them dry out. Great chew toys for the free range dogs. Somehow my dogs always know its ok to chew on the dry bones and feathers but not ok to chew on the live birds.