A loss tonight
Just a quick note. More for the record than for anything else.
Tonight one of our hens needed to be put down. I don't use the more technical work "cull" because while I don't keep them as pets,don't name them and even though I know that they're a part of our "farm" as an integral working animal, because of our size and the personal nature of their keeping requirements they're more than just livestock.
This particular hen was the smallest of the flock but seemed to get along just fine on her own. Last month, a little after Christmas, I found her sitting in a corner alone looking not well at all. She was brought inside our garage where the temperature is more moderate and where I could keep a better eye on and take special care of her. I gave her warm mash, fresh water with cider vinegar and kept her warm with a lamp but she stayed unhealthy. It finally got to the point where she couldn't roost, and had a hard time standing.
Tonight I put her down to end her suffering. As I said, I don't really see my hens as pets, but as their steward I feel a responsibility to do everything in my power to give them a chance to recoup. I'm sure there are some more efforts that could have been taken, but I feel that I took reasonable steps.
Best to you all.
As an aside... tomorrow is the second and final night of the beekeeping class. I look forward to it and thought I may be able to take advantage of the experts there on all of our behalf's. If any of you have any particular questions that I can pass along for you, leave a comment tonight or tomorrow and I'll do my best to get an answer.
Peace~
P~
Tonight one of our hens needed to be put down. I don't use the more technical work "cull" because while I don't keep them as pets,don't name them and even though I know that they're a part of our "farm" as an integral working animal, because of our size and the personal nature of their keeping requirements they're more than just livestock.
This particular hen was the smallest of the flock but seemed to get along just fine on her own. Last month, a little after Christmas, I found her sitting in a corner alone looking not well at all. She was brought inside our garage where the temperature is more moderate and where I could keep a better eye on and take special care of her. I gave her warm mash, fresh water with cider vinegar and kept her warm with a lamp but she stayed unhealthy. It finally got to the point where she couldn't roost, and had a hard time standing.
Tonight I put her down to end her suffering. As I said, I don't really see my hens as pets, but as their steward I feel a responsibility to do everything in my power to give them a chance to recoup. I'm sure there are some more efforts that could have been taken, but I feel that I took reasonable steps.
Best to you all.
As an aside... tomorrow is the second and final night of the beekeeping class. I look forward to it and thought I may be able to take advantage of the experts there on all of our behalf's. If any of you have any particular questions that I can pass along for you, leave a comment tonight or tomorrow and I'll do my best to get an answer.
Peace~
P~
Labels:
2010,
chickens,
urban farming
5 comments:
I am sorry.
Thanks Phelan, always good to hear from you. We'll just chalk this one up to "life on the farm."
Best wishes on the new homestead and all your plans for this year!
Can't wait to read about them.
P~
Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. I think that would be hard. Sometimes there's just nothing else you can do to help an animal.
You did the right thing. The fact that it was difficult for you makes me admire you more.
While I feed my animals organic food and go to great length to use naturopathic cures whenever possible, I find that, like a human, if a hen ever gets this sick, sometimes ACV just isn't enough and it might be time to do a course of antibiotics, often the animal can be saved and will go on to be a healthy bird.
That said, I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you don't have to do this again as it sucks for all involved.
Post a Comment