[Helencus]

Had to kill one of my ex bats tonight. She was very sick would have been dead by tomorrow. Looked fine this morning but they've had some mysterious bug which vet doesn't seem to be able to pinpoint. It was pretty grim used a broomstick and ended up decapitating her.. Still I'm proud that I did it and put her out of her suffering wasn't sure I ever could.

[Sharondp]

((((HUGS)))) and well done - I know I'll find it hard when the tinme comes - she's not suffering any more.

[Helencus]

Thanks sharon I felt crap about it all night but I know she was suffering and on past experience nothing the vet has done has saved them, so best to end the suffering and disinfect the whole coop again at the weekend and hope we finally kill this thing...

[shetlandpaul]

you should not feel crap you just stopping them suffer. nobody like killing their hens but you just get on and do it. the first is the worst. well done for being brave.

[sheila]

Well done and don't feel bad. I'm sure she had a good life. I must admit that I try everything first before doing the deed. A small soluable asprin sometimes does the trick or sometimes just some nice honey porridge. My husband says the hens are better fed then him at times!

[Helencus]

Thanks both. We've tried several types of antibiotic now sample came back clear but they had some sort of bug because they lost weight rapidly had the runs etc then died within a day. Let's hope this one is the last'

[Litl_Deb]

Hi Helencus
I am contemplating putting one of my old hens out of her misery, she is generally in quite poor condition, but has recently developed swellings on her feet, she is out of balance and is finding it hard to walk.  My hens roam on half an acre of grass so she keeps getting left behind.  She is eating and generally putting up a good fight, but I am wondering if it would be better to "do the deed" although it is an extremely daunting prospect.  Loads of people are happy to describe how to do it, but I have not persuaded any of them to come to my house and put their money where their mouth is !!  I really believe it is best to put an end to her rather than let her suffer and die. 

[Litl_Deb]

I have a question on a similar line, I have an eight week old chick that is struggling to walk, so much so that it can't even sit straight.  I have had a good feel, and although i am not a vet, there doesn't seem to be anything physically wrong with it.  It's mother is a Dorking cross so its' feet look a bit wierd - the two back toes are webbed and one thing I have noticed is that its feet and legs are always really cold to touch.  It is as if it has lost all its co-ordination and strenth in its legs.  Its siblings are absolutely fine - one of them has the wierd feet too.  Is there anything i can do ? My 10 year old son has it in a cat box, feeding and watering it, hoping it will recover.  Any ideas ?? 

[shetlandpaul]

the chicken could worth jabbing with a long lasting antibiotic and pain killer it could be bumble foot. the chick if its feet are normal and it can't walk will need culling. if the toes are curled under make slippers and splint them streight if sprayed legs hobble the legs. the first worked very well on a turkey at 6 weeks and the second on a goose. its quite quick a few days and there is improvement. dorkings do have extra toes so the do look odd.

[Litl_Deb]

Thanks very much ShetlandPaul, a bit of straight talking is just what I needed. The chicks legs and feet are normal, not curled under or splayed, just weak and the chicken is probably quite old, she has large white scales on her legs which are thick and knobbly - I am told this is a sign of age.  I moved to the house and took on the existing flock so I am guessing their ages.  Now I know what I need to do, if I want to keep chickens I reckon I am just going to have to do what needs to be done. 
Thanks again, this site really is a gold mine.

[Helencus]

Littl-deb I dreaded doing it paid the vet to kill 4 previously but it's just too expensive. Grit your teeth and you'll get up the courage. No one thought I ever would but I did.