One of my americaunas, HooHoo, has a lower beak that juts way out to the left and is getting worse every day. She hangs out at the feeder all day and most of the night and her crop never has anything in it. Choe, who we got at the same time is now considerably bigger with more feathers. I am thinking HooHoo is not going to make it and am considering puting her down so she doesn't starve to death. I am so sad. She has the greatest, friendliest personality. The problem is, this is my first flock of chickens and I have never had to deal with it and can't even conceive of how to do this. She is only about 6 weeks old. If anyone could help with a humane way to do this I would really appreciate it. I know this is a sensitive topic, not to mention graphic so if no one wants to respond on here, you can email me at jeaucamom1@yahoo.com. Please forgive me for being so ignorant about all this. I have seen posts that talk about clipping her beak, but it is almost at a right angle so I don't think it would be possible. Thank you for your support. Suz
Horrible, horrible question :(
I couldn't do it myself. I called the vet and he gave her a shot and reassured me that she wouldn't have made it. Sorry to have bothered you all with it. Very sad day here.
Poor chicken and poor jeaucamom. Sorry you had to do this, I know it was hard.
I'm so sorry Suz. How sad for you. :( Take comfort in knowing that HooHoo didn't suffer.
Actually, I've been thinking about this as well. I would love some suggestions on this topic.
I know this is nothing compared to what "massacre on the farm" went through, what a nightmare!! My heart really cries out for her. But my heart just is breaking too. We lost two to sudden illness which was devastating, two were roosters and went back to the feed store and now my sweet HooHoo. This being my daughters homeschool project has suddenly (and mostly very, very enjoyably) taken over our lives. I love the chicks in the brooder smack dab in the middle of the living room and constantly having chicks on me. I loved building the intermediate coop and spending hours and hours planning the bigger and better winter home. I even kinda don't mind the smell of all the chicken poop. But I am just having a hard time with all these losses. I know intellectually it is part of farm life, but not having been raised on a farm, this has been a very hard transition. I have always been a dog woman, and they live a LONG time. I've lost three or four in my adult life spread over 25 years. But this falling in love with my little chickies and losing so many of them is for the birds LOL sorry for the pun. How do you all cope?????? We are down to just 10 and it seems so few. I am counting the days until spring!! Someone could make a bundle as a Chicken Mommy Therapist. LOL at least off of me anyways.
First I'd like to say I'm sorry for your loss. It's always sad to lose one for whatever reason.
Everyone has their own version of what humane is.... therefore you can get a lot of different answers. I think a lot of folks confuse humane with how it's going to make them feel as opposed to the animal.
My version of "humane" is quick. I don't necessarily know if there is a pain free version of euthanizing. It seems like no matter what "style" you choose somebody is going to debate it and say it is cruel and how you should have done it differently etc....
That being said when I have to kill my poultry (whether illness/injury or butchering for meat) I slit the throat. It's not easy to do on a personal level because it's hands on and you know you are involved in the process but in my opinion it's quick.
Julie
Suz,
I'm like you - didn't grow up on a farm - but had a couple dogs....mostly cats! lol Just 4 months ago I got 13 ducks. Luckily for me, my mom (Glenda_Michigan) had already had
chickens for about a year. She's had to get rid of two mean roosters....send a cute but spiteful little bantam rooster to a new home....and has lost a couple of the "girls" to illness. Back to the ducks - first day on the pond - I lost one to a snapping turtle....and after a night away - 2 Pekins were slaughtered by some animal.....it wasn't easy losing them - but I had seen how my mom's chickens fared. I was bummed & ticked off - and sad (as I held one of my ducks head in my hand and petting it as it died) - but after going through some deaths with my mom - it's definitely more of a "fact of life" now. I too - cannot wait until spring! :) I'm down to 10 ducks too - and I know what you mean....it seems sooo few!! Don't worry - the more you're on here - the easier it gets!!! So much "experiences" on here to glean from!!
Thanks Julie
Suz,
Sorry to hear what happened. I was the one who had the 'masacre on the farm' this summer. I raised every one of those chickens and duck from a day old. They were raised in the livingroom and I was sad when I had to move them to the garage because they needed more space. The relief came when I was able to catch the animal that did this. I asked DG to remove that post because it turned into the debate of the century! But send me a note and I will tell you all about it. :)
Having animals is hard no matter what kind they are. We grow attached, and they become like family (even if they are just livestock). We have Bob the duck now, and he has been SO babied that he still comes and sits on the couch with us to watch tv from time to time. He has spent all of one night in the coop...because I am affraid that chickens are going to pick on him. I even considered buying him ducky diapers! But...I need to realize he is not a child...even though he cries whenever I leave the room.
Anyway...its hard, but we have all been through these hard times, and we will all be here for you if you need us. Just like family...enjoy the times you have with them...because you never know when something may happen. Part of life is death. take care,
Melissa
Bob needs a girlfriend.
Thank you Melissa! The folks on this site are stellar in their care and compassion and availablity and resourcefullness. You guys and gals have made this the most inspiring and enjoyable experience, I can't tell you what that means to me. Being able to reach out in distress and ignorance and know there are lots of people all over the world who REALLY care is amazing. God bless you all. Suz
Bob thinks he has a gf thats why he cries when she leaves the room...lol. I would get him a ducky woman of his own.... actually drakes can be pretty rough on a gal so I'd get him ATLEAST two to keep him company.
I have my runner ducks in with my chickens and they don't get picked on at all, not even by the turkeys. Ducks can hold their ground !!! Although I would get him a companion before I pushed him out into the real world...lol
Julie
Thanks Julie! I think he is still young enough that he thinks he needs mom to take care of him. We had a bon fire last night and he wasnt happy unless I would let him stay outside with us (until the wee hours of the morning). Maybe next spring we will look into getting him a girlfriend...but he will have to learn to get along with the chickens one way or another. I am just waiting until he is bigger then them...and then I wont worry so much about him.
Well ducks are a flock animal, so of course he wants to be with his flock. My runner drake started mating his gals when he was about16 wks of age.
Julie