Happy chickens! Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Sage is not looking well at all today, but can't find anything wrong with her (crop ok) and she doesn't appear to be suffering. She is sitting in the sun mostly with her eyes closed; have seen her drink, but not eat, though she was eating yesterday. Over last few wekks her comb has got paler and there's not much weight to her (have wormed reg with flubenvet). She just looks old to me, rather than with an illness that can be treated. She had sour crop last year and has never gone back to laying, but has seemed happy enough, though slipping down the pecking order from being head girl. I've had her over a year, she laid like a trooper until last summer and to me she just looks like she's had enough. Question is, should I take her to vet to be pts, or leave her to pass more peacefully? The others are leaving her be. If she was suffering would take her immediatly, but truly don't think she is. What do you think? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I'd take her to the vets to eliminate the chance that she might have a treatable condition. tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 If it was mine I would let her pass in her own wee home, if she is not in pain it will be distressing for her to go the vet, it is heartbreaking but you have given her a lovely life, they are just the work horses of chickens and they wear out quicker than the pure breeds, focus on the freedom you gave her and that she got to live much longer and enjoy herself more that she would have Others will come along with good advice Big hugs to you and Sage Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Thanks guys - she's still in the sun, will see how she is in the morning I think, make decision then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I'm with "E" here. I would take her to the vet.I know someone had an ex bat 4 years! She will look like shes had enough if she is ill, but what if she has something treatable. Some do pop their clogs on their own. Sadly it can take a long time and not be pleasant to watch as well! I often read how stressful it is to take them to the vets. but honestly it isn't. Loads of us take many to vets, have a look on the ex bats forum,many come out chatter to the vet have a pootle around and a poo I NEEDED to take one for a check up today, took 2 others as I was going, onehad some of her cross beak trimmed(I am too whoosie) the other needed to be seen to get more anti inflamitory (a legal requiement as not been seen in 9 months) 40 min drive there and back, ha;lf hour with Vet. they take it in their stride, honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 She doesn't want to come out of the nesting box this morning, so have tried to get vets appt (have taken her to vets before, it's not that I don't want to, just she looked peaceful yesterday and it seems more natural somehow), but of course both avian vets are away until Monday. I know the normal vet can put her to sleep, but realistically they won't treat her as I know from previous trips there that they have limited knowledge - and tbh even the avian vets are fairly ignorant, when I first got the girls and they went off laying as it was December and light levels drastically reduced from the factory farm, the vet thought they would all die due to being eggbound rather than it being a natural reaction to life outside! (They are the recommended vets btw, no others near on the list, and they are very good with my cats!!) Have made appt for this afternoon, and left her in the nesting box where she is cosied up, seemed a bit indignant when I stroked her. It's not cold here this morning, so was planning to leave her there for now. She didnt want any food/drink. Anything else I should be doing? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 She really doesn't sound well at all - is there any other vet near you who could see her? TBH, she sounds a bit as if she's winding down and needs some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I've had that dilemma before now and i ended up taking her to the vet to be PTS. She was old and her body was shutting down bit by bit but it was too painful to watch as her eyes wouldn't open in the end and she looked distressed. I wouldn't leave it if i were you, let her go while she doesn't seem to be suffering because if you leave it then i think whe will start to suffer. xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 As I said in earlier post today, she does have appt this afternoon, don't think will get her in earlier anywhere else. She's drunk a little, but not interested in food and doesn't want to leave nesting box. She's not hunched and miserable looking like she was last summer when she was ill, just cosied up and very tired looking. I don't think that she is suffering much - but it is very difficult to tell with a chicken I know. She's not old in chicken terms, but she does look worn out. Thanks for input, will keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 The vet put her to sleep, he could feel a growth in her abdomen, nothing he could do. I don't feel very happy that I took her, but equally felt bad not taking her. It took the vet two goes at injecting her, he had to pluck some feathers from her wing, plus the journey made her almost collapse, so she looked half dead by then, whereas she looked a lot better at home. I didn't want her to suffer and both options seemed unsatisfactory. At least she isn't in any pain now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I'm so sorry I've been following Sage's news and was hoping it wouldn't come to this. If it's any consolation, and as hard as it is, I think you did the right thing - she would have just endured so much more pain if she'd slipped away over the coming days at home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 That was a horrible quandary for you; you have my sympathies. I don't think there is a right answer in these cases. I know the PTS process can be upsetting, as can watching them die at home. RIP Sage, and try not to fret too much Happy Chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 Poor Sage . Sounds like it was time for her to go though, so you did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 poor you, it was the best thing. just one of those things, she MAY have gone down rapidly at home and you would have felt bad too. I really do feel you made the right decision, and know it is REALLY Really sad and horrible. I am sure she enjoyed her time of freedom and being loved and cared for, with you. Happy forever freeranging little on.e x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 RIP Sage & {{hugs}} to you HC, it was a hard decision to make Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 my vet always puts them under with some gas before they inject them so they have no idea what's happening. It's traumatic to watch (I always ask to be with them) but I do believe it's kinder than letting them linger when you know it's the end. I think you did the kindest thing for her. Sorry she's gone xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear that. It's a very difficult decision to have to make. It sounds like she was much-loved. X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 So sorry, it is very hard. Big hugs for you. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Thanks very much for all your kind words - Poet I will ask vet about gas if need to again, as didn't like seeing feathers plucked out of sick chicken. I know she had a fabulous life with us, lots of free-ranging and little stress, so that is some comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 I'm sure you did the best for your hen. So sorry for you and Sage x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 So sorry to hear about Sage and it is a truly dreadful decision to have to make . My Clover was pts, the others died at home, but there is no "right" or easy way to say goodbye to one of your little girls. Sending you lots of ((hugs)). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
