Chicken illness and euthanasia for beginners

What to expect when your chickens reach end-of-life. How to know when chickens are suffering. Common causes of death. When and how to euthanize.
00:00 My experiences with illness and death
01:28 First experiences with a dying hen
03:39 How long does chicken death take?
04:43 Most common cause of sudden death
05:58 What to expect with a natural death
06:41 IF YOU ONLY WATCH ONE PART OF THIS VIDEO - WATCH THIS!
08:55 Common causes of illness/death in laying hens
10:00 Ovarian/oviduct cancers
11:25 Internal laying
12:00 When intervention prolongs suffering (Penny the hen)
14:59 When to euthanize your chicken
19:25 How to euthanize your chicken

[@mellissahawkins9788]

I’ve just recently lost 3 hens who I believe to have been egg bound. I’ve been too devastated to necropsy but with this 4th hen, I’m feeling like I need to know what this looks like inside. I still don’t think I can but there’s zero good information that I can find…. I’m in tears and snot watching this video and this is just what I needed as I sit here with my dying hen whom I love, beside me. 😪😪😪

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear this, Melissa. Every chicken who is dying or dies is a difficult loss. Like I say in this video, I still cry and drink (not a joke) with every one. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. What makes you think they're egg bound? It's a little unusual that all 4 would be egg bound in a short period of time. It's possible, especially if they're all from the same strain - could be genetic. I know the first necropsy (really the first few) are incredibly difficult. Here are the 2 best necropsy sources I've found: kzbin.info/aero/PLzf8tGKj10zzE5jXlhAxw5Z7UaPJV6aIB - this one from Cornell Vet School is incredible. The only problem is the necropsy is done on a young-ish broiler so they don't teach you anything about the reproductive system, which, in the majority of my hens, has been the problem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipbOZ2l-i7x7pZo - This one is super helpful for identifying chicken anatomy in necropsy and understanding a bit more about the reproductive system. Best of luck, Bri

[@SallyGreenaway]

Thank you. I watched this earlier today while nursing my beautiful chooky girl who was so unwell. I brought her inside in a nice basket full of warm straw and put her next to me by the fireplace so I could spend time with her and weighing up the pros and cons for whether we should or shouldn't euthanase her to ease her suffering. She was gasping for air, paralyzed on one side and really suffering, yet when I talked to her or scratcher her under her beak, she was talkative etc. It was a very difficult decision to make... And now I'm re-watching after having been through this awful experience and trying to find some sort of calmness and peace through hearing your video.... I really can't say how awful and horrific it was to be the one to ease her suffering. I just had to immediately sit down and sob in complete anguish at what I had to do. But my beautiful chicken really was so so so unwell and really was suffering so much. 😔😞 Thank you very much for your video.

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear this, Sally. You are so right it's an incredibly hard decision to make, and beyond devastating to do if you love your animals. It's a true show of your love that you did it anyway. Best, Bri

[@tanksithomas]

I lost my very first chicken year's ago, and like you, I cry every time. My girls are more than just egg layers, and part of the family. This is a very informative video and worth sharing, particularly to those who have not experienced a sick chicken in their flock. Thank you for always taking the time to educate others.

[@a.d.2719]

I am new to raising chickens. I have twelve four-month-old pullets and never thought I'd get so attached to them, but here I am. They're my girls. I avoided this video in my suggestions for a few days before I finally sat down to watch it. But I do appreciate it because I know it's something we'll have to deal with eventually. Thank you for the informative video. (P.S. Nothing looks sadder and more pitiful than a sick chicken. Just the pictures make me want to cry.)

[@thefeatherbrain]

I avoided making this video for the same reason - worst. topic. ever. But as you implied, necessary.

[@a.d.2719]

@@thefeatherbrain Just wanted to mention that you are by far my favorite chicken channel. I like how you get right to the point but also mix some humor into your videos. You're the best!

[@thefeatherbrain]

@@a.d.2719 Thank you so much for your kind words! :)

[@richardkut3976]

@@thefeatherbrain Eulogy of sorts, your a Hero. Thanks

[@rwbellamy7175]

This is a great resource for those of us who keep chickens as pets. It’s nice to know to watch a kindred spirit who has been through what I’ve been through. Well done.

[@clp6743]

I cannot find a vet close around at all to help me when I have a sick chicken. Thanks for this video.

[@naycherdeb]

Thank you for this video. My chickens are only 14 weeks old, but I know it's just a matter of time, and this helps me to feel more prepared. 🙏🏻

[@erinkinsey8831]

This is very good. You may not be a trained Vet, but your experiences are so insightful and mesh with my own experiences as an owner of chickens raised for therapy.

[@andreaisblessed]

I am so glad that I found you . As a beginner I have learned so much from your videos! Today's lesson was very special

[@sallyegan]

I want to thank you for your honest video. It helped us make the tough but kind decision.

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear about your loss.

[@chrism1452]

Thank you for your knowledge, experience, and BRAVERY for sharing.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thank you!

[@11lindemann]

Great info but that was tough. I’m a first timer with chickens and they are only 6 months. I appreciate all of research and knowledge that you share. I have a lot to learn. I also need too toughen up a bit so I can be prepared for anything that comes up. Thanks

[@jenniferralston2582]

Thank you. I needed this video today. I love my chickens and have such a beautiful relationship with them. But I have a sick chicken that’s dying. Just horrible and helpless feeling.

[@mellissahawkins9788]

Thank you for this… I’m working on gathering up the strength to deal with this.

[@cookingsherry8784]

Thank you for tackling this difficult topic. We needed to dispatch a rooster recently. My husband was able to make a cone out of a of a free used vinegar bottle. There are many types of bottles that hold water or other things that can be cleaned out and cut into a cone because the metal ones are pretty expensive.

[@thefeatherbrain]

A lot of the metal ones are too long or have holes that are hard to get the chicken's head through too. Expensive and poorly designed. If someday you'd be up for sharing a photo of what you used, I'd share that with the email list and in a (probably long-time) future video.

[@Sookie1000]

Absolutely heartbreaking I’m trying to summon up the strength to deal with our very unwell girl Dotty she’s my little daughter’s favorite. I can’t chop her head off as that would be too traumatizing for my daughter to see and she will want to say goodbye. I’m really struggling it’s so hard need to get it done today. We are new to chickens and rescued 8 didn’t think we would have to deal with this so soon only had them 2 months. Just keep telling myself that we rescued them from a horrible life and nasty death and I hope that I have the courage to give Dotty a dignified quick peaceful death. Thanks so much for your video.

[@homeatlaska]

This was such a timely, and poignant video for me today. I'm a new chicken mom of only about 20 weeks, and I've had to euthanize 2 hens in the last few weeks. The first one, I euthanized immediately upon seeing her state, but regretted not trying to triage her back to health. So when another hen showed similar illness, I triaged her in hopes it was a deficiency or something fixable. She suffered for 10 days in triage and lost almost all her muscle mass in the process. During that triage time, we bonded. 3 days ago, I reached a point where it just was very apparent she was suffering for no good reason, and I made a merciful decision. For this task, I bought a heavy cleaver, because I'm really good with kitchen knives. Lovingly laid her on a large cutting board outside on the snow, and with one clean drop, it was over. I just sat there and cried. I thought dealing with chicken poops was hard. This was harder. But I went to bed knowing that she wouldn't suffer a moment longer, and in a weird, seemingly twisted way, I was happy for her. Thank you so much for this video. I really needed this so much.

[@thefeatherbrain]

You did the right thing and good you don't have regrets. It's always a hard decision to decide whether to triage or not. That's one thing necropsies have helped me with - I'm definitely more liberal with euthanizing than I would have been otherwise. So sorry to hear you've had to deal with this recently, and TWO nonetheless! And so young! Hopefully, some time will pass before you have to face it again. Sending all my love, Bri

[@homeatlaska]

@@thefeatherbrain Aww thank you, Bri! I'm still working on not completely decimating my chicken during processing. I get lost in all the parts, probably because I've been skinning them in the absence of hot water. Liquid water is like gold up here on the mountain right now. So when I'm processing a chicken, there's a little bit of cussing and a lot of mistakes and parts getting cut or ripped that shouldn't be cut or ripped. Arielle offered to come help process our Freedom Rangers, and I think I'll take her up on it. On this pullet, what I did find was that her internals looked okay, but there was a weird mass of what looked like fibrous grass in her vent area. This is confusing, since they were raised on sand, not grass. I do sometimes add our rabbit alfalfa pellets to their food in the absence of greens, so maybe that didn't help. But I hadn't for a long time, so I dunno. This experience and your video both definitely eased my qualms about mercy euthanasia, though. I'll be more likely to pull that trigger, so to speak, to save my littles from needless suffering in the future, and I'll probably only triage chickens that are clearly recoverable. I should probably also stop calling myself, "Mom" to the chickens, too. Moms don't lop-off their kids' heads when they're sick. Mindset and education is everything. Farmer Barb, maybe. Which is why I'm so so grateful for your videos. I learn so much in such an organized, methodical, cover-all-the-bases in an entertaining way. You're doing a fabulous job, Bri. Sending love back to ya', Barb.

[@thefeatherbrain]

@@homeatlaska It's nice how much a little bit of cussing can get you through a situation. I've personally never processed chickens but I imagine there's quite the learning curve. I read up on it when we first got chickens. We had planned to breed them and eat the roosters, and I even thought about selling the meat too, but I got too attached. So I decided that because killing them myself for meat felt too devastating, but I didn't want to support factory farm chickens either (the whole reason I got chickens in the first place), I'd just stop eating chicken altogether. I do still eat humanely-raised beef (we get a 1/4 cow from a nearby farm), and chicken on the rare occasion - last time was my birthday. I just REALLY wanted chicken fried rice! I hope your processing goes easier for you! That is very strange about the fibrous material. Could it be from the nesting boxes? Is it possible the mass could have impacted her digestive system and she couldn't get food through? I make my husband do the euthanizing whenever possible. I don't know what else to be but "mom." Good luck being "Farmer Barb." You might find you're stuck being a mom who lops who her kids heads off and cries every time. :) Bri

[@zoemarialawson8943]

did the chicken move after u had to use cleaver to relieve suffering?

[@nilasspasov8417]

Thank you, for this video. I learn a lot .

[@10cocopops]

I've had plenty of those whisky and icecream moments 😂, I've kept chickens for 30yrsand it's still very difficult everytime we lose one, great vid

[@ImaginaryBriefHigh]

Girl, I'm fixing to be farming chickens for eggs and meat, I'm starting out with 4 (scheduled for March). And have plans for a 9.9ft by 6.5ft long run with a 6 chicken coop as coop one and run. The next year (2025) we'll have the same setup with an added 4 chickens in the second coop for a total of 8, 4 in each coop. Your videos either crack me up or have me scribbling away at my notebook for ideas with my own chicks. I'm getting buff Orpingtons and love your videos!

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thanks! And sounds like you're going to have a great setup ! :)

[@BrianBMS]

Everyone chicken keeper should watch this video. It's not always fun and games. The cycle of like comes no matter what we want. Learning to let go is the best for the loved chicken and also for you. They depend upon us to make these decisions so no regrets just great memories. ❤

[@esthernyakondah]

I am glad to have watched this video as my chicken was in the dying process. It helped me to be strong and accept her fate. I am now interested in doing autopsy so I can identify the cause.

[@inu1ful]

I just lost my hen...I wished I found your video before that, but I really appreciate your information. Thank you!

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear you lost your hen. Sending my best your way. Bri

[@anamericanabroad7639]

This was just what I needed to make the decision on whether or not it was time for our girl. She has been internaly laying but has still been so bright and full of herself. I checked her abdomen though and its so hard and stiff. We too have made the mistake of initial antibiotics which make her perk up so well. I will not make this mistake again. Thanks for giving me the reassurance that I needed to know it was her time.

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear you are going through this. Glad the video helped - it's always such a hard decision to make.

[@jeanswaggerty1750]

I cried watching this whole video. I love all animals and this is hard for me can’t stand the suffering. We have hens and I love them all. I cried when I lost one suddenly I sober my eyes out. I am so glad I found your video.

[@thefeatherbrain]

This was a hard video for me to make. I too cry when exposed to any animal suffering. So sorry you lost one of your chickens suddenly, but happy to know you love your chickens so much. :)

[@BelindaTN]

I love this information and the fact that you do necropsies on your dead chickens. How did you learn what a chicken is suppose to look like internally? (to compare with). I am new to raising chickens and have a lot to learn. I have zero experience with being responsible for any bird. All my experience is with animals with fur. lol

[@pittylovinmom]

Thank you for this. Any chance you can talk more about Ascites?

[@shannaciano1804]

Thank you for this video. I did do a necropsy on two of my chickens but I really didn't know what I was looking at. Personally, seeing the cancer, etc. would be very helpful.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thanks for the feedback. I do think at some point I'll try to put a little necropsy 101 together - showing I do it (admittedly, as an amateur) and images of the different common illnesses/disorders I've found. In the meantime, here are the 2 best necropsy sources I've found: kzbin.info/aero/PLzf8tGKj10zzE5jXlhAxw5Z7UaPJV6aIB - this one from Cornell Vet School is incredible. The only problem is the necropsy is done on a young-ish broiler so they don't teach you anything about the reproductive system, which, in the majority of my hens, has been the problem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipbOZ2l-i7x7pZo - This one is super helpful for identifying chicken anatomy in necropsy and understanding a bit more about the reproductive system. I also highly recommend Gail Damerow's "Chicken Health Handbook" for understanding illnesses and for necropsy help. Best, Bri

[@CeciliaMorris]

OK, the whisky and handful of ice cream just got you a sub, LOL.

[@calideeholmes6822]

❤AWESOME... gut wrenching but very SPOT ON... I .earned to hope for the best and plan for the worst...

[@shirleyefting5194]

Great video, thank you. Just put down a sick hen at the vet ($217.) She was eating and drinking fine, but couldn’t walk 😢

[@veritatis7114]

Yes, I think it would be helpful to see pictures of different diseases. My Red -Rhode island Red girl died of ovarian tumors from Mareks at the age of 1 1/2 years. She was the last of 18 chickens who died from various Mareks symptoms, paralysis, etc. She outlived her flock by one year. She never laid an egg and was very lively until one day when she got a prolapse though she didn't lay eggs. I treated her for the prolapse and she recovered but lost her her large appetite after 1 week. She then went downhill in 6 weeks. I drained her water belly twice and she perked up and ate better. She really fought dying. She was eating until the day she died of heart failure in my arms. I tried her with various herbs and it seemed to help her until the last week of her life. I tried to neocropsy her right after she died but green goo was pouring out of her vent and coming out of her mouth. I just couldn't do it. I did all that I could and Red didnt give up until the day she died as she refused food any water. She died very fast. I wish I had necropsied her.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Wow, so sorry you had to go through that! Mareks can be truly devastating. Don't blame yourself for not necropsying - it's hard to do when the death is so ugly and you're emotionally attached. Thanks for your feedback about wanting to see the images/footage.

[@veritatis7114]

@@thefeatherbrain i think it would be educational to see why chickens die as so many Chicken mamas and papas blame themselves for not doing enough to help their chickens live when the chickies were alot sicker than they thought and they really did all that was possible for their chickies.

[@thefeatherbrain]

@@veritatis7114 Thanks - I also personally would have doubted taking the euthanasia route for several chickens if I hadn't necropsied afterward. The "What if I was wrong?" thought can be very painful.

[@zoemarialawson8943]

I think im dealing with mareks. March 24, so far lost 6 in 2 years ,. some went lame. some stopped eating. Now a rooster 9 months old will not eat and is weak but walks no lameness.

[@elisabethbednarczyk2139]

@@zoemarialawson8943 there’s no reason to think the deaths are related. Chickens die of many things all the time. Not eating is not a symptom of Mareks. Weakness in the legs can be a vitamin deficiency in fact it’s quite common.

[@lorico1849]

Thanks for doing this video. You're right, by the time you notice something's wrong, it's too late, and you're right, trying to nurse them often ends in more heartache for you watching it suffer, and they die anyway. It's just the cold hard facts.

[@thefeatherbrain]

I wish it wasn't so...

[@JaniceGhostHunter13]

You gained a new subscriber thanks to your whiskey and ice cream bit.

[@TheRachelabomb]

Same!

[@hanyethio2183]

Thanks for sharing to us

[@breesechick]

Thanks for sharing

[@WashoeValleyCollies]

Do you think the cancers and other conditions you found....do you think the formation of these conditions could have be provoked by the change in our agricultural practices in the last century? The chemicals, the GMOs, the lack of natural nutrition in the food we feed them? Just curious? Thanks!

[@jennleighton3209]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful information. I see all the necropsy research as super necessary and (in a weird way) a wonderful way to honor the life of your chickens. I would love to see any pictures/ how to video. My family and I are new to keeping chickens and it looks like we will need to euthanize one of the five, 10 month old girls we got this year.

[@valeriemac3010]

My Cruella is 3 yrs old. She has stopped eating and drinking. I have tried everything I know to help her. She is dying.as tears roll down my cheeks I have chosen to help her pass. I cannot watch her any longer laying and breathing but that’s it. Her actions are clearly showing pain. It’s been 4 days inside the house for peace and quiet. I will necropsy her later today and see what this was. She was so normal and I must of missed something. This is the worst thing of raising farm animals. Suffering is just not an option for me. Thank you for your input. RIP Cruella❤

[@shadowwolf143]

I just came across this video. I am a new chicken Momma. I started with 18 hens last January and as of a week ago, I have 9 remaining. 2 died within a week of getting them, one was trampled in the brooder box and one was a quarter of the size of the rest and we think she had an impacted crop from maybe eating shavings, which i will never do with babies again. at about 6 months, i lost one to coccidiosis. had never heard of it at that point. I did everything the vet said, but by the time we got her to the vet, she also got pneumonia. She didnt make the night but her sacrifice saved the rest of my flock. I was so heartbroken that she was my first death that i felt was my fault for being a new chicken owner without the knowledge of illness they can get. during the summer i lost 2 to heat stroke and almost one other but i managed to catch her seizing and rushed her indoors to a cool bath where i was splashing water on her while keeping her feet in a water bowl, crying my eyes out. She had a tough few weeks after where she wasnt walking and was being a picky eater. We did water therapy twice a day for 2 weeks helping her regain strength in her legs and using epsom salt to relax her. we fed her nutridrench and fresh scrambled eggs. Then brought her out to the coop at night to transition her from AC to outside and brought her back in during the day, then we did outside field trips for longer periods until we felt she was ok back outdoors. All the heat stroke despite all the ice we kept in their water and electrolytes. We had 3 intake fans and one large output fan on the coop itself. lots of frozen blueberries and watermelon. wetting the run and the roof of the coop twice a day. We even made a redneck ac with an ice chest and fans. in the fall i had one with gapeworm that also developed pneumonia in the end. after her i had 2 with multiple eggs in their oviduct that were not coming out despite epsom salt baths. and my last one was my second rooster who got attacked by his brother randomly one day, they never fought before that. he fell from up high during the fight trying to get away and he was acting normal once we got him inside but the next day he was gone. So now i have 9 left. I have only done 2 autopsies on my own and have no idea what to look for but i would love to learn. I dont know if KZbin allows for videos like that but I would love to learn

[@thefeatherbrain]

I'm so sorry to hear you've had so many problems with your chickens in such a short amount of time - it sounds like you are incredibly unlucky and my heart goes out to you! Here are the 2 best necropsy sources I've found: kzbin.info/aero/PLzf8tGKj10zzE5jXlhAxw5Z7UaPJV6aIB - this one from Cornell Vet School is incredible. The only problem is the necropsy is done on a young-ish broiler so they don't teach you anything about the reproductive system, which, in the majority of my hens, has been the problem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipbOZ2l-i7x7pZo - This one is super helpful for identifying chicken anatomy in necropsy and understanding a bit more about the reproductive system. I also highly recommend Gail Damerow's "Chicken Health Handbook" for understanding illnesses and for necropsy help. Best of luck - I truly hope things go better for you and your flock! Sending kind wishes your way, Bri

[@shadowwolf143]

@thefeatherbrain thank you so much! Tomorrow when I get home I will look into these! Thank you so much for the reply

[@zoemarialawson8943]

St Johns wort and vet rx helped save some of my chickens.

[@dawnlee6058]

Thank you for this video. Yes, I would like to see what you have found in your necropsies.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thanks for your feedback, Dawn! :)

[@Louise-xr5ok]

Every time I see one of my hens puffed up I panic. I lost two recently and finding a vet in the uk to see to chickens is very difficult. They both died a slow horrible death warm in my house.

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear this, Louise. At least you kept them comfortable as best you could.

[@CCteamBlue]

Loved your video! It helped me come to terms with my fail to thrive chick that i hand fed, every two hours for 7 days. We also put down our beautiful black American Bresse with crop impaction that Couldn’t clear with 10 days of every sort of treatment. We euthanized them humanely and buried them together. We cried ❤️ .terrible farmers.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Sorry to hear of these sad losses. I think we're all terrible farmers once we get to know our animals.

[@winniecash1654]

😰 I dread this subject. I'm very Pollyannish about my hens. They'll never die. Thanks for doing a video on this subject. Now that I made MY disclaimer, I'll watch it. 😆

[@thefeatherbrain]

Yeah, it's the worst part about raising chickens.

[@celesteinman56]

This video is so helpful so hard but this information is videl

[@tillamookmini-homesteader]

I love chicken nerds 😂 Thanks for the down to earth delivery on this.

[@celesteinman56]

Be careful of your eyes. One of our pet chickens just peeled my husband's eye because he was to close. He said the pain was excruciating

[@avidreader6097]

It would be very helpful to better better understand Illness. It just is not enough information available.… it would be great to take. advantage from what you have learned through your analysis once a chicken is gone.

[@renneaburgess5885]

Thanks!

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thanks for your support, rennea! :)

[@seriouslynow22]

I may be starting to walk through this possibility right now with an 18-month-old Golden Comet. Angel Dawn was the first chicken I selected at Tractor Supply when I first started keeping chickens. I was ignorance gone to seed and I will never again purchase a chicken bred specifically to lay eggs on a near daily basis. All I knew was that she a beautiful baby. Angel lays almost impossibly big eggs every day until recently. On occasion she would lay one with no shell, but not very often. My chickens prefer free ranging though they have good feed. I have a separate container of calcium available at all time. Because of KZbin videos I became aware that around 35% of these chickens are going to be prone to reproductive cancers and other disorders due to being bred as production hens. I have recently met 2 different breeders who confirmed this for me. No big deal for them. They just cull for food. I didn't get into this to kill chickens. I just wanted healthy eggs. Lately Angel is having more eggs minus shells. Some days she doesn't lay an egg at all. She's also a little less assertive about getting her share of treats, like my blueberries. She loves blueberries. Sometimes I think she seems a shade smaller. I wish I had done baselines on weight. I have to help her a little bit by saying "for Angel Dawn" when I give a treat. All of my chickens know what that means, and give a little allowance for the one who needs a little help. I don't have any help. It takes about a month to get a veterinary appt. for a bird in my location, not that I can afford it right now with the economy engineered to collapse. I have seen videos on the "broomstick method" and am trying to prepare my heart and practice with a stuffed toy. The awful truth I didn't know when I got chickens is that someday you will need to euthanize our of compassion. If any other newbie reads this comment, I hope they will seriously research chicken keeping, including genetics, before starting out with chickens. I am very research prone in general. I have been very pushed for a long time and allowed it to block discernment. Since I free range and have a roo for protection I would prefer to have a few more hens and been happy with 4-5 eggs per week and not have this on my heart.

[@inu1ful]

I just lost my loving pet hen, 4th out of 6 died. I rehomed them, but I visit regularly to take care of coop and feed etc. She was only 17 months old. She had been not feeling well from around March to July. We have poultry cells and oyster shells and vitamin E because she was laying soft eggs. She became herself again her comb is bright red...I visited last Thursday she was fine eating scrambled egg etc what I brought. A day later, Saturday I went and noticed she was off came back in coop when I was cleaning...then never got out. I feel stupid talking to her to be feel better and letting her which liked. She perched with other flock only 2, I assumed she was happy there with her sisters. She was sitting in the nesting basket rest of the evening. I thought of Epson salt bath but I had to drive 1 hour to get home Because new owner wasn't home. I live in apartment. I was gonna see next day if I should give bath, but got bad news she passed. I assumed just started but later I was told she was off on Friday. I didn't know. It's hard since I don't live with them to keep track on. I thought of they are sick, comb would be pale...she declined so quick, again, I delayed to help her and I feel guilty that I can't sleep well. How did you deal with guilt and death? My first chickens and only. I love them terribly but my situation in relationship was in danger. I am sorry it's so long. Thank you for your videos I learn and enjoy your videos. Just I can't act as nd think too much and delay helping them and I feel so mad at myself. Thank you.

[@ruthlaity6093]

I just had this happened to me. My princess layed a jumbo size egg. She came down from the nest and just stood around and finally made it to the main house and stood there she drank water but i brought her inside to inspect her and could see anything i thought she just stressed herself so much over this egg. I gave her salt baths and used a dropper to feed her and give her water. But she ended up dying in my arms that afternoon the next day. I have no idea what happened or what i done wrong or what else i should have done. But no vet would see her cause they didnt take poultry birds. What do you think happened she had no bites or bugs or prolapse. IDK why my princess died. RUth Laity

[@d.a.tsun5104]

On necropsy: (1) what book or reference do you recommend to learn what to look for in the process? and (2) what do you do with the carcass after necropsy?

[@thefeatherbrain]

Here are the 2 best necropsy sources I've found: kzbin.info/aero/PLzf8tGKj10zzE5jXlhAxw5Z7UaPJV6aIB - this one from Cornell Vet School is incredible. The only problem is the necropsy is done on a young-ish broiler so they don't teach you anything about the reproductive system, which, in the majority of my hens, has been the problem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipbOZ2l-i7x7pZo - This one is super helpful for identifying chicken anatomy in necropsy and understanding a bit more about the reproductive system. I also highly recommend Gail Damerow's "Chicken Health Handbook" for understanding illnesses and for necropsy help. After necropsy, I bury the carcass very deeply on our land.

[@d.a.tsun5104]

@@thefeatherbrain Thank you so much.

[@sarakaur8960]

Thank you so much for this information. We just put down our first hen. She was suffering. We couldn’t see her in pain. Took her to the vet to euthanise. Me and husband didn’t have the heart to do it ourselves. I felt awful and cried all day and also couldn’t even tell my family how I felt cause my sisters would laugh at me. I was still having doubts that maybe we did wrong thing. We tried to save her with antibiotics but she kept getting worse.

[@sarakaur8960]

Also when I took her to vet I told him what was going on and he didn’t even look at her and said you want medicine and left for his office. I was in shock that he didn’t even see her but my husband said that’s not good and it was clear that she would not be saved. It was too late for her. So we told him to euthanise her. She was standing like vulture and sleepy. Wasn’t eating or drinking. I had to give her water with syringe. She was walking like penguin and then she was wobbly. Her feet was getting all weird. She was having hard time to put her weight on her feet.

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear you recently went through this. Hopefully, someday family members will understand how special chickens are - for now, it's their loss.

[@jessele1971]

Thank you for this video. I just lost my favorite hen a couple days ago. She looked off, so I picked her up, and her crop was squishy, and she started to throw up and aspirated and died. I am devasted. I had no clue how to save her. She died in my arms. I wish I had seen your video earlier. I would euthanize her immediately. I am heart broken that I let her suffer because I didn't know how to give her a quick death. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@emily-ld7ci]

i got two chickens when we moved to our new house in 2018 and last year in 2022 they stopped laying and one of them had past away over night we just assumed she was egg bound and buried her in the front garden. we now have had one chicken for about over half a year now and she had been free ranging our backyard then we had gotten a puppy that likes to nip at her so we put her in sectioned off part of the yard where she was alone, i still visited her every now and then but i noticed that i hadn’t had to fill her food up and because she wasn’t eating it but she would eat out of my hands this was last week and this week she is now in a ball under the trailer in her section and she is pooping white foam and eggy stuff and she won’t eat, drink, stand or move, or even make noise. so i cuddled her and she started doing her happy chirp ☹️ she’s still under the trailer now soon to be gone

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear this. :(

[@cissyharris1922]

I have a hen and her chest is bulging and she makes a gurgling noise but she acts like nothing is wrong what is wrong with her?

[@w.knudsen5570]

Ice cream is such a comfort food.

Merhaba kardeşim güzel viloğ 👍🏻☕💯

[@catheriner1742]

Is it an option to get a vet to put them to sleep😢? I recently had to have my elderly cat put down. First a little shot to make her drowsy, then the meds to stop her heart. She went down very easy getting lots of love and pets on the way. Can they do that for a chicken?

[@thefeatherbrain]

So sorry to hear about your cat, Catherine. I have 2 of my own and dread the day I may lose them. To answer your question, YES, a vet can put your chickens down humanely. Some of mine have been euthanized by vets.

[@celesteinman56]

Is it the food in some cases?

[@Jstarb]

My 8 serama are dead.I don't know what to do.They became not want to eat,depression,not want to drink,they got fever,Their heads are became ..like there is no blood.They die after 18hrs their symptoms appear

[@lorijl8535]

I would like info on how to do necropsy, pictures

[@chris2790]

What! Whiskey and ice cream? I hope that was a dramatization! lol But yeah, losing pets is hard.

[@ajmoody6399]

I have a hen she was born on Easter only incubator egg that hatched So somewhere along the way she injured herself to where she could not walk It looked like a severe case of splay leg I thought Marek disease ( but from what I have read this isn't possible through incubation uhg I have been trying for weeks to fix her legs 😢 She eats fine drinks fine just can't walk after weeks of trying to keep her in a position ( using a laundry basket with a towel Right now I'm trying to make a chicken wheelchair She has gained feelings in her wings again because she is trying to fly out of the position I have her in I am to the point I don't know what to do

[@silverlioness3953]

I am so sorry for the loss of that persons chicken. However I have to comment that I LOVE your whiskey and ice cream coma!

[@angelanelajuly2961]

I just don't want to find out I killed my own bird. I had a parrot growing up. They live so long I guess they are more robust?

[@thefeatherbrain]

Parrots have a very long lifespan. Chickens don't. The average lifespan for backyard chickens is supposedly 5-8 years. I say "supposedly" because I see that claim made everywhere but I've never seen a reference to any study. I do know from the scientific literature that chickens in the wild typically don't live more than a couple of years. This is VERY different from parrots. Chickens have lots of offspring and there's lots of turnover. I did have one time I killed a bird unnecessarily (I found out on necropsy her condition was something treatable) - this was the first bird I had euthanized (the vet agreed she should be euthanized), and I still have nightmares about that. It's all a learning experience, but out of all the chickens I've euthanized (and there have been MANY), that one hen is the single mistake.

[@jrpacer6355]

I have been raising birds for 10 years and I find my chickens dont live past 5 years . I have a hen now that's sick won't eat ect...I have her out of the coop away from the other birds it has been about week now but I think we are going to have to put down the smell of death on her sinks and I don't want to wait anymore that's just me.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Sorry to hear this, but I think you've made the right decision with euthanasia.

[@Lizzypoohxo]

This is so bizarre. To encourage people to diagnose their chickens, decide when they're going to euthanize them and then, dissect them!!?? That's freaking wild dude.

[@thefeatherbrain]

The truth is very VERY few people will take their chickens to avian vets. I take mine - I literally just spent almost 2 grand in the last week on a sick chicken. She was eating an insane amount of food but really skinny, and just not acting like her usual perky self. Still chickening around, but I could tell something was off. Tests show she likely has beginning-stage ovarian cancer. The vet put a hormone implant in her last night to stop her from laying anymore. We are hoping this will stop the probable cancer from growing and she'll go back to being her happy self again. Fingers crossed. But most people won't take their chickens to vets - they either can't find one that will see chickens or they won't spend the money. So what are these people supposed to do? They can either try to diagnose and act themselves, or just "let nature run its course," which means countless chickens will needlessly suffer. You are right that dissecting your chickens is bizarre. When I first started with chickens, the first book I read was Gail Damerow's Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. She talked about necropsying in there and how important it is to know why your chickens die so if you get a disease in your flock, you can identify it and do something about it. In her "Chicken Health Handbook," she has a chapter on how to do it. I thought as a newbie that necropsy was the norm and something every responsible chicken keeper did, so I learned how to do it through books and KZbin videos. Later I learned that I was actually a freak for doing so. But I greatly value how much more I understand about chickens from doing this. I have a lot of experience with necropsying now, and I've also learned a lot my from my vets. For example, when I recommend euthanizing if your chicken won't 1) eat/drink/leave the coop, 2) has a crop that won't empty, AND 3) has a distended abdomen - my top avian vet told me that there is no scenario where that chicken will be okay. The exception - occasionally you may have a problem where removal of the ovaries could solve it but that surgery costs many thousands of dollars and is incredibly dangerous. There's a decent chance your chicken will die and few vets will do it. Not to mention, very few people will pay for that or even want a chicken who no longer lays eggs. I get emails all the time from people who let their chickens die slow, painful deaths. Though the keepers' intentions might be good, this is pure cruelty to these animals. This is why I felt compelled to share this info. I 100% recommend an avian vet when in doubt, but 99% of people won't do that. These people need some guidance on what they're seeing, what to expect, and what to do for their own chickens' sake. I've shared my experience and research here. You can take it or leave it.

[@desertheavens]

@@thefeatherbrain I think you need to add "can't afford to" when talking about a vet and also "when an avian vet isn't available". Many people live far from any such veterinarians and also do not have the financial means to pay for one, regardless of how much they care about their flock. There are also many people who keep chickens that no longer lay eggs. Also, having a crop that doesn't empty certainly does not mean certain death. I have saved two of my flock from just that. I do not, however, resort to pharmaceuticals and chemicals for any of my treatments and care. That said, your video is helpful in spite of the sensitive subject.

[@nothingmorenothingless9435]

My rooster just died and I m devastated can't stop crying

[@celesteinman56]

Omgosh I do feel that way

[@jujukite6314]

I have i leghorn 3 years and she no lay eggs but her but is water whit poop I clean and clean give medication in water so she eat but water but never go away cant you please help

[@TheRachelabomb]

Treat with garlic and oregano.

[@brucebruce5674]

I tell all of my friends who decide to get chickens to just be prepared that they die constantly!

[@carrieunrein2060]

How do I prevent some of these problems?

[@thefeatherbrain]

Unfortunately, these problems are due to incessant ovulation (laying eggs too frequently), so there's not much you can do to prevent them. The best thing you can do is let them take breaks from laying. So, if you have a hen go broody, let her go broody for a couple weeks (remove eggs, of course, if you don't want chicks) - that will give her a break from laying. Don't add light to the coop in winter to try to get them to lay longer than they naturally would. And if you catch one of these problems early, you can put them on a hormone implant to try and save their lives - I just released a video on that here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6WwaaNpm61orbM

[@bonnieblakely699]

Shes not moveing she cant get up she dies not say anything 😢 I'm really worried she needs to be hand fed I need to know how to open her beak without hurting her

[@bonnieblakely699]

I got a sick chicken i need help

[@LuDePaMiAl]

I can’t ever shop a head off of any of my pets ..chickens .. I preferred nature take the way .. not me .. people died to suffering and no one shop there head off . Same with my chickens . Thanks for the info . Creepy Me out .. and left me in shock so far.- I may have a chicken heart .

[@carrieunrein2060]

I feed my girls the best food, Scratch and Peck..No Purina products. No Commercial feed. They get fresh fruit and vegetables, no mold etc on them. I will find out in fee years if the food makes a difference

[@debbino4249]

I guarantee you that it DOES make a difference. Think prevention, prevention, prevention, using "gentle" herbs and spices. Use cayenne to prevent worms. There is also an herb you can feed long term to stop egg production. It is called lithospermum, - used as an anti-ovulary. Not lighting the coop gives the hens a needed break from laying.

[@R1M1r1m1]

You can lay the chicken down and put a basin over the chicken with the head sticking out and cut off it's head.

[@nikkililesjanowicz4770]

I have a bleeding rooster, can roosters bleed to death from a lower back by the valve , i think he’s suffering and I gave him the 3 day rule todays the 3rd day and he’s still bleeding not eating only watermelon, please help, if anybody knows what I should do? Also this cut came from another rooster

[@adlergizinski7234]

😔😔😔❗

[@rosesmith6208]

i have killed my chickens and your right by the time you realize they wont recover they have suffered a while, I use a cement block and a heavy rock and hit the head as hard and fast as possible, I dont have a proper knife to do that.or a cone. the speed I use is so fast you can hardly tell if I hit the chicken once or twice or three times for good m easure.

[@hecker0402]

I think a husband with a gun is better than a killing cone. Don't have to look them in the eye. We raise some for meat, but if they are sick, I prefer target practice.

[@AJayK610-18]

Hey i subscribed to you last year. What the heck

[@MosaicHomestead]

Death is part of life, this is why you have to turn them into chicken 🐔 sandwiches 🥪 before they start suffering...this is why I'm going to make sure they get the best life possible.

[@thefeatherbrain]

I agree quality of life is infinitely more important than quantity.

[@marianellaflor2978]

She is crazy . She must let the chicken dye naturally

[@thefeatherbrain]

Interesting. So you believe you should let chickens starve to death or otherwise die in excruciating pain, rather than showing them mercy? Please elaborate on your reasoning behind that.

[@user-bi4sr2rw7b]

There is a lady who takes these chickens right away as they go droop, and places them into EPSOM SALT for fifteen minutes one and a half cups, and they live, in fact they go awake in twenty minutes and eat again. It is all those old remedies that no one knows.🐔🐓🐔🐓🐣🐔🐓🐣🐔🐓🐣

[@thefeatherbrain]

I know the video to which you are referring and, unfortunately, that's all complete nonsense. There is no mechanism by which an epsom salt bath will cure diseases. All she really did was torture her poor chicken by forcing her to take a stressful bath. It wasn't even clear there was anything wrong with this chicken. Please don't ever put your chickens through bogus, stressful "treatments." It's up to us to be responsible chicken owners and do our research before subjugating our hens to treatment. If the "treatment" sounds to good to be true and doesn't seem logical, it's likely utter nonsense. You will find a lot of that on the internet. When in doubt, talk to a vet. Google 'Ask a Vet' online and you can find businesses with avian vets who will answer your question for a nominal fee of ~$5.