When is the right time to isolate a dying chicken? If at all?

[HilaryAkin]

Hi all,

I have the sweetest hen named Pepper. She’s only 2.5 but she has had some issues and a while back laid a few lash eggs which I know means she won’t be around a ton longer Lately she is much more lethargic, falling asleep standing up, ankle deep in snow even though I have plenty of places for her to shelter and shoveled paths to them. She still eats and drinks but not as much. Her eyes definitely don’t look clear, bright or wide any more either. Her butt seems to hang down too. She used to be one of the head hens but lately I’ve noticed blood all over her comb like she’s getting picked on because they know she’s sick. I think she has some time left but I am now noticing a decline in her every day. My question is, once her time is obviously near, do I keep her with her feathered family even though she’s getting picked on, or do I put her in a kennel in the coop so they don’t hurt her? I hate the idea of both options but want the end of her days to be peaceful.

 

[Sally PB]

If she is in pain, can you consider putting her down?

 

[HilaryAkin]

If she is in pain, can you consider putting her down?

Not sure if she’s in pain, I can’t really tell. I can’t imagine culling her and not sure about a vet doing it.

 

[Rurumo]

It wouldn't hurt to call around to find out which vets will do it and at what price, just to have the information. I'm sorry your hen is ill.

 

[MysteryChicken]

She looks like she needs to be put down. If she continues living, I don't think that be the right choice. She may pass tonight, or in the next couple days, & it would be painful.

Had to put down a hen recently, she had both a reproductive tract infection, & a tumor in her egg shell gland/uterus. The infection caused her to be full of nasty goopy, liver red fluid. She even had a couple lash eggs inside her.

 

[Coops Dad]

Give her a favorite treat, then put her down. When I cull, I use a .22 pellet rifle and put a pellet into the base of the skull. Yes, there's blood and flapping but the bird is "gone" by then. Quick and humane, even if it doesn't look like it. If the flapping and such distresses you, you could swaddle her in an old towel beforehand.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

Give her a favorite treat, then put her down. When I cull, I use a .22 pellet rifle and put a pellet into the base of the skull. Yes, there's blood and flapping but the bird is "gone" by then. Quick and humane, even if it doesn't look like it. If the flapping and such distresses you, you could swaddle her in an old towel beforehand.

That is so hard to do to a bird you love though.

 

[Coops Dad]

That is so hard to do to a bird you love though.

I've felt it's harder to allow something I care for to suffer; I'd rather endure a little heartbreak myself and spare my animal needles pain before its soon death.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

I've felt it's harder to allow something I care for to suffer; I'd rather endure a little heartbreak myself and spare my animal needles pain before its soon death.

Yes but there’s better ways to do it in my opinion. Good day