What happens when they die?

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This is probably a daft question but what do you do with a chicken when it dies?

Eating will defintely NOT be an option - couldn't do it.
 
I throw mine at the bottom of my fields and the buzzards, or foxs take them, do you live near any fields, or are you on an estate.
 
Hi there, I'm new to chicken keeping - had four ex-battery hens three months ago. Unfortunately, one of my girls died suddenly a few days after freedom. If I had the space I would also leave the body for the foxes and buzzards - it's only natural. But I'm not able to do that. I contacted my vet who take them to be incinerated for just a donation to a charity they support. Some vets charge £20 plus for this service. It might be worth checking to see if any of your local vets offer a similar service.
 
I do have fields around me and the buzzard frequents them regularly plus woods alongside so I guess that's the best option.

Thanks for all your advice.
 
Hi all and a happy new year
when my girls have died in the past, hubby gets strict instructions to bury them deep I`m too soft and dont like to think of them being ripped apart after years of service, the problem is, they all have names.
So yes , I would like to think they do go to chicken heaven.
 
You can bury them (at least 18 inches deep) which is what I have done from time to time (and they get a little cross for the childrens sake)...

Or wrap them in 2 or 3 carrier bags securely and pop them in the black plastic wheely-cemetry. You will find one day in the week that they have left and gone to chicken heaven.

Alternatively you can take them to the vets where they will pop them in a freezer and every couple of weeks, they get taken away and burnt.

Personally I prefer the first if possible but often with a number of cockerels each year, I have to resort to the second (which is acceptable I believe according to Defra as long as they are securely wrapped).
 
I read that a post- knocker- if you happen to know a handy farmer (or have an other- half who's a fencer like I do!) is a great way of burying them- knock the hole- put the dead birds in and refill- a lot easier than digging a hole apparantly. Again probably not the greatest help if you have a small back garden ;)
 
Mine take the wheelie bin transport method to the pearly gates too. Living on Wealden clay makes burial a pretty hard option! Ros
 
I like to bury mine - all mine have names too - but there are times when I have to resort to wrapping them up securely and putting in the bin - like at present with frozen ground or when the ground is baked dry. :(
 
mine fly straight to chicken heaven,their little bodies that they no longer need use wheelie cemetary.This is because our garden is now full of buried pets,my cupboard has cremated dogs in it so they can be buried with me.I haven't enquired how much for a chook cremation.
 
I was told it was illegal to 'dispose' of a domestic chook with the normal household waste, have I been mis-informed?
 
I don't want to sound barbaric but tim, your reply was great! I can just imagine all the lottle chuckies in the world going to wheelybin heaven! :lol: :roll: :roll: :!: :!: :!:

Personally (& i don't know if it's correct so please don't copy me without checking 1st!) i stick them on the bonfire...we have a farm & have the chuckles as pets & layers (for the whole village!) & always seem to have a bonfire going or the remains of 1 so that's where my few dud 1s end up! I might be very wrong in doing so, in which case i best start digging holes! But i find it's the most practical way & wouldn't like to leave them out for the foxes as surely it would only encourage them to take others :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :!:

Dreadful subject but that's part of keeping chickens & pets in general, you have to be practical...
Amy
 
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