Sadly it look as though it could be the end of the road for Blanche, our Light Sussex. She has been limping badly for about a month and the vet seems to think she has had an injury at some point but can't really find anything wrong with her. She has now got worse and can hardly walk although she still manages to get there when food is around. She was laying up until a week ago, but has now stopped. We now have to make a decision. We don't feel we could do this ourselves and the vet will charge £23. Does anyone know of a culling service in the Chard/Axminster area?
Culling
- Thread starter Anni D
- Start date
That's a hard one, Anni. So sorry to hear about Blanche, but I think you're right to call time, when it gets to the point where recovery doesn't seem to be an option and her quality of life is getting poorer.
I have culled my own birds, so I do know how to do it, but have decided, like you, that it's something I would only do in an emergency because it made me feel so ill, not the last memory I wanted of a much-loved bird. My vet charges £18, so £23 is a bit expensive - have you asked around about prices from other practices? It's certainly a peaceful and painless way to go for them. Alternatively, are there any other chicken keepers or farmers or breeders in the neighbourhood, who would be willing to help you - either by culling the bird themselves, or teaching you the proper way to do it?
Definitely a 'don't try this at home' situation unless you've had instruction and a demonstration, I feel, especially on a biggish hen such as a Sussx.
I have culled my own birds, so I do know how to do it, but have decided, like you, that it's something I would only do in an emergency because it made me feel so ill, not the last memory I wanted of a much-loved bird. My vet charges £18, so £23 is a bit expensive - have you asked around about prices from other practices? It's certainly a peaceful and painless way to go for them. Alternatively, are there any other chicken keepers or farmers or breeders in the neighbourhood, who would be willing to help you - either by culling the bird themselves, or teaching you the proper way to do it?
Definitely a 'don't try this at home' situation unless you've had instruction and a demonstration, I feel, especially on a biggish hen such as a Sussx.
