Solitary chicken - need advice

[Abbey Road Girl]

I decided to leave both basic and detailed emergency chicken instructions for my son after downloading lasting power of attorney forms.

 

If something happens to me, I want to make the decisions he may have to make as easy as possible, especially as there is not much money between the two of us at present and he has a demanding job.

 

He should feel free to use his own judgment when it comes to deciding what to do with the chickens. There are many options including giving them away as per Omlet's instructions to offer them for sale at £0.00.

 

However, there is the sad option of dispatching them. My son is a real softie and would never even want to discuss this (one reason why I'm leaving the written instructions).

 

However, the situation may call for this as they have become less productive than they were in their best days and he lives a twenty minute drive away.

 

If one or more of my chickens were terminally injured (dying from a fox attack, for example), my guess is that I would probably immediately wring their necks to end their suffering asap. But dispatching them (a euphemism for killing them) deliberately should rely on forethought.

 

While I would never kill any animal still capable of enjoying life (I endured five years of my Jack Russell's blissful lack of bladder control), that's only my choice as long as I have the luxury of being able to support it.

 

What is the most humane way to kill a chicken you cannot keep or find a home for?

[Plum]

Sorry not the answer you want but I would take it to a vet. I don't think it would cost too much. Perhaps you could find a willing farmer who would do the deed if it ever became necessary. I wonder if it's a bit much to expect of your son if he hasn't any experience.

 

There was an article on despatching poultry in Practical Poultry about a year ago which may help you.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Thanks, Plum. My son was a butcher for several years, so he has the necessary skills.

 

Many middle class necessities (dental work, corrective lenses, boiler repair) have been put on hold, times have been that tough, so a vet might be financially impossible. Also, I was considering the trauma of taking them away from the only home they've had since the nice Omlet man delivered them when they were young.

 

I suppose that the forum members who raise chickens for the table will not have the answer I was looking for because that answer doesn't exist.

 

Euthanasia literally means "happy death" and there's a very good reason that chickens often shy away from us.

[Sheilaz]

How about leaving instructions for logging on here and asking for advice if your son should ever find himself in that position? That would cover all eventualities, as there's 24hr advice from other chickenkeepers, which could help him make a decision.

 

Is this hypothetical or likely to be a reality? Best wishes, either way.

[Valkyrie]

I'm inclined to agree with Teabag. But then I'm sure someone would adopt them should the Omlet £0.00 be an option.

It's an interesting dilemma (not pleasant though) because it's something I hadn't thought about.

[Olly]

I admire your forethought, it's a good plan to think about these things and leave instructions.

 

I'm afraid rehoming old or non-laying hens can be difficult. Are there any forum members nearby who might be willing to be a sort of long-stop 'chicken guardian'? I have an arrangement with an elderly lady I know, that if she is ever taken into hospital (or worse) I will take on the elderly stray cat that she feeds. I sincerely hope this never happens as he's probably un-neutered and flea-ridden and would have to live in my spare room, but it gives her peace of mind to know that I'd look after him!

 

Teabag's advice about asking on the forum is good, but as I understand it, your question is really not 'what should he do', but 'how should he do it' if this becomes a necessity.

 

There are a number of humane ways of dispatching hens, and if your son will know how to do it properly, I'd be inclined to just leave it up to him to use whatever method he feels confdent with. I think in his shoes, I'd want to know that you had recognised this as an option, so he wouldn't feel guilty about it if rehoming was not a viable option.