Homestead Life has it's uncomfortable moments

[dalthauser]

Even a "Hobby Homestead" like ours.

This morning when I let the chicken out the oldest of the older hens that came from a neighbors was down.  She responded when I pet her, but it was clear she was in trouble.  I brought her into the house and examined her.  It felt as though she was fulled with fluid in her abdomen.  From her breathing and physical appearance I felt she needed to be put out of her misery.  A visit to the vet is not an option.  I wrapped her in a fluffy towel and brought her to the butcher block. I don't believe she experienced any trauma - I am gaining some experience in this area (and, since we will soon be culling chickens to eat, this is a good thing).  

Comments

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

I understand your uncomfort with the act, but you had a choice to let her die quickly without pain or slowly with pain. i think you did the right thing.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I agree with Joebanks. I just wanted to put a little reminder here to keep an eye on all your other chickens just to make sure a disease isn't going through them. I hope it's not so, and that she was just old. (((hugs)))

[time-on-fire.livejournal.com]

Ah Dorie, it is an uncomfortable moment. Is this the first time you had to do this? Was Marcel there?

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

It's the second time. The first time was to help a chicken who was terribly injured, and I literally fell apart because it was the first time and the chicken was in pain so very frantic. I guess that first experience steeled me for the next time. Marcel wasn't their either time, but the first time - he stayed on the telephone for moral support while I completed the task.