What do you do with your chickens when they die?

[aart]

I toss them in the woods for the wildlife, carcass is always gone within 12-24 hours.

This was my first inclination, but I’m not sure I want ‘yotes to associate my or my chickens’ smell with a free and easy meal.

They already know the birds are there.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

I feel like

I never like losing birds but i would rather lose one to a predator than have it languishing in sickness and me trying everything to keep alive and losing it anyway. Which has happened to me twice this year (once was a predator that it survived but then died despite my efforts). I always feel like such a terrible mess of a chicken keeper when they die slowly. At least a predator is part of the circle of life I guess? I don't know why but sick or hurt chickens just tug at my heart strings whereas the predators are generally quick and leave you a pile of feathers to mourn. That's probably just me though lol

I know what you mean. I lost one of my favorite girls yesterday despite doing everything I could think of and treating her for what I thought the issue was and to make matters worse I could never get through to my vet. I was so angry. I basically just had to watch her die. Nothing I did helped. It was the worst experience.

 

[Silexian]

I toss them in the wood line out at the farm. They are usually gone by the next morning. I figure giving a predator an easy meal. Is no different than putting out a bird feeder or planting a pollinator garden.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I know what you mean. I lost one of my favorite girls yesterday despite doing everything I could think of and treating her for what I thought the issue was and to make matters worse I could never get through to my vet. I was so angry. I basically just had to watch her die. Nothing I did helped. It was the worst experience.

Oh that's so sad! Its alway the favorites too!

 

[Silkie Princess]

We bury them... They deserve to rest in peace

 

[6BeachChicks]

I know what you mean. I lost one of my favorite girls yesterday despite doing everything I could think of and treating her for what I thought the issue was and to make matters worse I could never get through to my vet. I was so angry. I basically just had to watch her die. Nothing I did helped. It was the worst experience.

Its ok. My girl and your girl are together now.

 

[Banana01]

Throw them in the river. They flow away and the fish or condors eat them later.

 

[sweaterthebroodyrooster]

Hello ya'll

Since I recently lost 2 of my favorite chickens for unrelated issues. It got me to thinking...what do you do with your chickens when they die? Do you bury them? Throw them in the trash? Eat them? I am curious. I have started a chicken cemetery it seems. That is definitely not my future plan. I was just curious to know what everyone does with their chickens when they die.

Thanks!

For me, it depends if I had a bond with the bird and they were healthy when they died I'll make a marked grave for them. If I didn't have a bond and the bird was healthy I'll eat them. If they die from an illness I burn them. Anything else gets a deep unmarked garden grave.

 

[froggyphore]

i bury them in their favorite spot and put a big rock on top. if the ground is frozen i put them in the freezer until its warm

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I bury my special chickens. All others go in the trash. Basically, things like meat birds go in the trash. My pets, layers, chicks, and anything else that's not food and is dearly loved gets buried.