My old hen is slowly dieing, how can I help her during her last days?

[seminolewind]

Quote:Originally Posted by seminolewind

It's sad when they start to die. I guess you'll have to decide if you want to euthanize, or a vet , or let her die on her own. I've done all 3. I was euthanizing myself and really just could not do it anymore. My vet does not do chickens, but any vet should know how to give them a shot to put them out.


"I was euthanizing myself and really just could not do it anymore."
Well Karen, I'm glad you couldnt do it anymore, BYC wouldnt be the same without you anymore!!!!! LOLOLOLOL.

Only YOU would catch something like that!!!!

 

[seminolewind]

This is such a painful thing...its wonderful to hear that they've become pets to you. In her final days, keep her comfortable and loved much like humans. animals can sense love and care and i think providing her with these is good. So sorry she's in pain! i send her healing!

What I did with my roo was that I made him and his flock some gourmet meals. At dinner, I would take a plate of leftovers or something and try to make his time good.

 

[Farmwarrior]

Thank you for sharing heart warming stories of your special hens. I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m sorry your beloved hen is unwell. Blue comb combined with ascites is not good. You could try to drain the fluid yourself to offer some relief, but there is risk involved with that. You could syringe feed her some Lily of the Desert aloe detox and aspirin (I do half a low dose aspirin) to help with discomfort and fluid. I would provide a safe heat source for her and just love on her. Is she isolating herself from the flock or does she seem to want to be with them? Is anyone picking on her?

I have actually had good success with anti-inflammatories combined with the aloe detox and antibiotics for ascites, but don’t have birds that age yet. It may be her final days, and I know that it must hurt your heart. Please let us know what you decide to do and how she is doing.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m an idiot I just realized this thread is six years old. LOL!

 

[sehfergy]

It is not her crop, it is her abdomen, she even walks with her legs spread out it is so big. she is passing poo but her vent feathers need a cleaning, caked with a white yellow mess. She was still alive this morning and I helped her off the coop so she can roam with her sisters.

Just wish there was a over the counter medicine for pain relief in case she is in pain.

sounds like she could be egg bound. have you given her warm baths to try & help her get the egg out maybe? i think you can give aspirin to chickens in water, if you google it you can find the dose.

you are a good chicken mother worrying about her comfort, she’s lucky you are looking out for her.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The OP has not been logged on since 2017. This thread is from 2013.

 

[Sequel]

I’m an idiot I just realized this thread is six years old. LOL!

I spent a whole day under the chair once for doing that! The scoldings went on and on...I'm so glad I'm not the only one who does that once in a while!

 

[TessaWild]

I am dealing with this with my hen Chandler right now. The vet said she has a tumor in her abdomen, I first thought it was water belly but water belly apparently is found only in meat birds. The vet said nothing can be done and usually occurs in older hens. My Chandler is 4 or 5 years old. She too walks with her legs spread, and lays down sometimes to rest. She also can't bend over properly at times so I put their food and water up on bricks so she doesn't have to strain so much. I feel horrible for my girl. I may have her put down if/when she stops eating and drinking so she doesn't suffer.

It is not her crop, it is her abdomen, she even walks with her legs spread out it is so big. she is passing poo but her vent feathers need a cleaning, caked with a white yellow mess. She was still alive this morning and I helped her off the coop so she can roam with her sisters.

Just wish there was a over the counter medicine for pain relief in case she is in pain.

 

[AntiqueB]

Water belly is not only in meat birds.