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Stopping a Hen Suffering

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I am so sorry to bring this up, but would someone kindly tell me the correct way, when

a veterinary visit is impossible (snowed in) to let a hen go to a better place. I had to do my best for my Scarlett this week, and want to be reassured I did it right. We decided it had to be done, so (please don't hate me) I wrung her neck. She was 99% 'gone', and would have just frozen to death, had I not found her lying in the run when I went out to close the Eglu door when is started to get dark. The other two, Amber and Ruby had gone in to roost for the night, but Scarlett hadn't made it. She's been looking ill for a while, pale comb and not re-feathering after a moult. I was devastated, but did the only thing that I could to put her out of her pain. I can't find anything on the web or my books, I just used my initiative, so I'd like to know exactly what to do if I ever have to again, it might just prevent someone else worrying and wanting reassurance in future if someone who is expert can tell us, post a sticky, and then we can all move on.

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I am so sorry to bring this up, but would someone kindly tell me the correct way, when

a veterinary visit is impossible (snowed in) to let a hen go to a better place. I had to do my best for my Scarlett this week, and want to be reassured I did it right. We decided it had to be done, so (please don't hate me) I wrung her neck. She was 99% 'gone', and would have just frozen to death, had I not found her lying in the run when I went out to close the Eglu door when is started to get dark. The other two, Amber and Ruby had gone in to roost for the night, but Scarlett hadn't made it. She's been looking ill for a while, pale comb and not re-feathering after a moult. I was devastated, but did the only thing that I could to put her out of her pain. I can't find anything on the web or my books, I just used my initiative, so I'd like to know exactly what to do if I ever have to again, it might just prevent someone else worrying and wanting reassurance in future if someone who is expert can tell us, post a sticky, and then we can all move on.

 

Oh you poor thing.

It can be so frightening not knowing what to do.

There's no easy way but I think the lesson here is that all us chook keepers should know how to "neck a chicken" in an emergency.

I had a similar scenario when I wrapped poor Higgledy in a warm towel, cuddled her and she slipped peacefully away.

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Sorry to hear that you had to go through this hodge.

 

this is one of my big fears too... we lost a chook early on in our chook experience, and have been fortunate since (touch everything wood!!!), but it is good to be prepared.

 

Egluntine, is there any where where info like how to do the dead could be put on the forum - a sticky somewhere or in the chicken health section.... it just may help in times of need???

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