From Skilled Hands

The Chicken Hospice

By fromskilledhands ( August 26, 2008 at 8:59 pm) · Filed under Animals, Helping, Learning, Patience

A few weeks ago, one of my hens, one of the original flock (which makes her a senior citizen), started having trouble walking. The other hens began picking on her mercilessly. She would cower and hide her head under one of the nesting boxes. The others wouldn’t let her eat or drink, so I began closing them out of the coop while she’d drink. This went on for over 2 weeks.

Farm folks would say that this is Nature’s way of culling the flock, and I suppose there is truth to this. However, I decided that she should at least have some comfort for her last few days. So I put bedding in a crate, and put her in, protected. That was 2 weeks ago. This chicken won’t drink, but eats watermelon and grapes. She gets around in the crate by scooting. Each day I expect to find her motionless, but she is not ready yet.

Patience can be taught in many ways, I think. And creatures great and small can show us the way, if we stop to look.

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14 comments »

Amy said,

August 26, 2008 @ 10:36 pm

Animals can teach us a lot. I’ve lost two pets in the last 10 years, and both times they were ready to go. I wasn’t ready to let them go–but realized it was wrong to force my issues on them; they knew it was time.
Linda McLaughlin said,

August 26, 2008 @ 10:56 pm

Sounds like you’re taking good care of the hen, Debra, and making her last days pleasant ones.

Linda
Lisa Kenney said,

August 26, 2008 @ 11:10 pm

It’s always so hard to let nature take its course…
Mary Witzl said,

August 27, 2008 @ 6:52 am

I’m taking a brief break from packing right now, and came here for a breath of fresh air. Which I got.

I’ve heard that argument about nature too, and I believe it in principle, but can never go along with it in practice. I would also want to give that hen a little pampering and try to make her last days more comfortable. As long as she’s not in pain, I hope she enjoys her watermelon and grapes. Good for you.
Laura said,

August 27, 2008 @ 10:48 am

Okay, what I want to know is this: When I am old and limping about, can I come over for some grapes and watermelon?
Travis Erwin said,

August 27, 2008 @ 2:02 pm

That hen just might be sharper than the rest.
Cathy said,

August 27, 2008 @ 4:39 pm

Lucky hen to be with you!
Barbara Martin said,

August 29, 2008 @ 8:21 pm

The hen is eating which is a good sign for her survival.
patry said,

August 30, 2008 @ 5:08 pm

If only all animals were treated as lovingly as your hen…
fromskilledhands said,

August 30, 2008 @ 5:14 pm

Here is a chicken update: she isn’t eating or drinking but is still hanging in. I’ve stopped changing bedding since it seems to disturb her. And so we wait.
Thanks for all your kind comments.
OldOldLady Of The Hills said,

August 31, 2008 @ 8:50 pm

This is sooo very touching. I LOVE that you saw her plight and wanted to make her last days comfortable. You are so right. Animals can teach us about everything in ways that are so direct and right to the heart! I hope her passing is peaceful. And Bless you for helping to make it so.
fromskilledhands said,

August 31, 2008 @ 8:57 pm

How things change: Chicken Update #2
I moved her crate on top of a nesting box and put some clean bedding around her. She perked up, so I gave her a little grain and some watermelon. She began eating. Still not moving much, but much more responsive.
Stay tuned…..
fromskilledhands said,

September 2, 2008 @ 11:32 am

And change again. The hen died this morning.
Nothing really is permanent but change…
Susan Ryan said,

September 11, 2008 @ 9:33 am

Debra, I hope to be as humane with our chickens as you have been. Right now their dwelling is in better shape than ours right now with all the time I spend out there.