RIP? How do you know when it's time?

[Hashette]

Oh hell this is hard. Like a lot of people on here, I've a poorly ex-batt. Clarissa has been ill for over a week - won't come out of the nest box, green runny pooh, when we take her out she just sits in a corner, eyes closed, won't eat unless we put a handful of mealworms in front of her, and unless I physically separate her from the other three, they try to peck her to death.

Phoned my friend in the village (sobbing my eyes out) yesterday, and he's due to turn up at 9am to quickly put her out of her misery. I'm not putting her in a cage and taking her down to the vet, the stress of that would be much worse. Wouldn't it?

Anyway, this morning she wouldn't come out of the coop as usual, so I've carried her into the shed. She looks slightly brighter. She's still not moving and her tail's down, but her eyes were open and she was looking around

Oh hell what do I do? I don't want her to suffer if she's not going to get any better, but if there's any chance at all....

[MaureenHall]

Oh heck, it's a difficult decision to make, but you'll just "know" when it's the right thing to do I think. I haven't had to make that decision myself yet but if any of mine were not looking happy after trying every possible thing, then I'd do the kindest thing and let her go

Chin up, you haven't failed! {{{{{{{{{{{huggles}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Hashette]

Thanks Mo, I needed to hear that

Yesterday it was almost easier - she was clearly suffering and if Sean had been around the decision would have been easier. I know the chances of her getting better are not good, and watching her suffering is awful. My neighbour who's had chooks for years reckoned it's some sort of nasty internal infection from looking at the pooh, and pointed out the thing I'd missed, which is that she's lost so much weight she's a bag of bones after 6 days of not eating

I wish she'd either just quietly go to sleep, or perk up.

[Hans Mum]

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} awww bum......its an awful prediciment but if you know she's suffering and not enjoying life you have to be brave for her sake. She was rescued by you and has enjoyed her freedom and been loved and cared for and you need to remember that.....thinking of you x

[Suechooks]

Having made this decision yesterday for 2 of my girls i know how hard it is.
I tried everything as you have and although one was going out and eating a bit she would then flop down and not move for hours. With these 2 the other birds left them alone but the girl who went last week the others were attacking her all the time.
In those circumstances I think the birds know that the end is not far away I believe so I made the decision for her on that basis.
If there is no joy left in their lives I think we have a duty to them to end their lives with dignity. In my case it is the vet who gives them a small injection and they just quietly go to sleep. I don't know anyone I trust enough to dispatch them instantaneously so really don't have that as an option.
If you have the feeling that she needs to go then that's the time. She doesn't sound as if she has much will to go on herself. I kept hoping mine would go in their sleep but none of mine have done that yet. 3 have died in my arms and 4 have been to the vet.
Console yourself with the thoughts of the fab life you've given her and let her go with the dignity she deserves.

[Hashette]

Aw..... you lot are lovely xxx

Just read what you've all written out to my OH. Both of us are really grateful, thank you.

[Hilary B]

I think you know it has to be, and wanted someone to either agree, or talk you out of it.
I would say that if she is obviously no longer happy to be alive (other than briefly for an obvious and reversable reason, such as a stuck egg), it is time to let her go.
It can be horribly difficult to be sure, and therefore difficult to decide, but (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))) it sounds like her time has come.

PS, realised that could sound a bit critical. Not meant that way at all. Wanting reassurance on such things is so very understandable!

[HayleyB]

Be brave, chook heaven is a nice green free range place I'm sure {{{{{hugs}}}}}

[Twinkle]

oh Hashette - it's a horrible decision to make and my heart goes out to you.... I've been where you are. Like HilaryB says, sounds like her time has come, and you're giving her a quick dignified end of life.
My daughter firmly believes in chicken heaven where there are no predators and endless tins of sweetcorn and you don't get told off for pecking in the veg plot.

(((((( hugs ))))))

[Nicos]

Hmmm...been thinking about you..what did Sean think???

If she's now gone, then be content in the knowledge that he wouldn't put her down if he thought there was a chance....for you he is the expert who will advise you either way.

I have my farming friend to advise me....I'm so relieved to have an expert to hand- then you can't doubt the 'joint' decision.

Still- it's not a nice choice to have to make.

Well done for giving her a lovely life with you

xx

[Hashette]

Thanks everyone, much needed, and Hilary you didn't sound at all critical.

Clarissa's asleep under the walnut tree. The other three are probably wondering why they're being spoiled rotten, with chopped up apples, bolted pak choi and a handful of sweetcorn, but didn't spend too much time pondering before they stuck their beaks in!

Looking out of the window, I can see they're now busily demonstrating that life goes on by digging around for worms and bugs in the re-layed turf.

[raine]

Have just had two of mine go but it made me think about just this situation and I think i would definitely end their suffering. We have no-one we know who can do it so OH is looking to learn.Won't be nice but i guess it's part and parcel. Think you did the right thing.

[SarzWix]

(((((hugs))))) Hashette, one of the more difficult parts of being an owner is knowing when to let them go, well done for being brave enough...

[Bramble-Poultry]

when i lost one of my first chickens many many moons ago i was distraut. A friend told me a story, which may seem daft now but at the time really helped and i even tell it to the kids now.

"when we lose a close companion, like a dog or a chicken or similar, it doesnt just go to heaven on its own, it waits on one side of the "rainbow bridge". this is a place where all the animals can play in freedom awaiting their turn.

Injured aniamls are healed and elderly animal have their youth restored. The know not of fear or hunger and they have fun playing in the fields until the time comes.

This is the time when their owner is reunited with them, for it is the owners time to cross. The owner walks through the fields and gathers their long lost pets together. and they stride over the bridge as one big family unit into heaven.

But what ever happens to that animal that had no owner? They too go to the rainbow bridge field where they get restored and play, but no-one comes to help them cross.

That is until the special one comes. The one who has rescued and cared for unloved animals such as abandoned dogs, mistreated cats and rehomed some abused poultry. For this person is granted a special power, the power to perform one last act of rescue and gather unto them any unclaimed or unescorted animals and help them too cross over the bridge to heaven"

Hashette - your burd will await you at the Rainbow Bridge, it will wait until a time (hopefully long from now) when it is your time to cross, and as you are a rescuer of animals, you too will be granted the chance to take over other battery hens and animals that have no owner to claim them.

So chin up. Your bird is probably hiding in some tuft of grass at the bridge - awaiting 21 days when it will stroll out with a load of beautiful chicks to show off when the time comes.

[bluemoon]

I haven't faced this with a chicken yet, but I did with our dog nearly 2 years ago. He'd been ill for some time and we and the vet had done everything possible, then one morning I got up and knew it was time. If this is how you felt then you were almost certainly right.