hodge Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Have pm'd you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Thanks to Egluntine abd a PM, I now have the advice and information to help reassure me I acted properly and did not cause further suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I'm so sorry you've had to do this . It sounds like you're a very caring chicken keeper and have done the kindest thing. I'm glad Egluntine has managed to reassure you (she's good at that sort of thing!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 That's rough Hodge, must have been hard for you but brave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Well done Hodge for knowing when was the right time, it can't have been an easy decision to make, sorry about your girl x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 oh gosh I feel for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear about this, you are so brave. Bless your little chook, you did the right thing X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hodge - you have been so brave - I hope that I could show such bravery if ever in the same situation - warmest hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Hodge, just wanted to say well done to you for thinking of the best for Scarlett. Also sending ((((((HUGS)))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 ((hugss)) Hodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 What a difficult thing for you to have to do I'm afraid I helped one of my sons rats out of this world once, with whiskey, he sat on my knee licking it off my finger, and just went off to sleep Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 I am so sorry to bring this up, but would someone kindly tell me the correct way, whena 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Well done you! My DH and I went on a course last year to learn how to dispatch birds for the table. I wanted to do this so that we could see about rearing table birds, but also so I'd know what to do if I needed to put one of our garden girls out of her misery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 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??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
