If you have livestock, you have to be prepared for deadstockI don't know who came up with that quote, but it's so true. I don't really consider my hens livestock, though, I consider them pets. Hopper, a buff Orpington, was the leader of my little flock. She got egg bound on December 8th. We brought her inside and put her in a box with a heat lamp and some food and water. I was hoping I'd find her running around the house because she flew out of the box, but it wasn't meant to be. She was very lethargic when I brought her in, so I just held her on my lap for a while. I left her overnight in the box. She didn't seem to be in distress when I left her. In the morning, however, it was pretty obvious she was in pain. She was panting and bearing down (trying to get that egg out, I assume). I called a friend who's daughter is in vet school as well as our own vet, and the consensus was to slaughter her. I wish I could say I was brave and just slaughtered her myself, but I'm not, and as I said before: she was a pet. I took her to a local Amish butcher and asked him to do the deed. He said he didn't really have time (they were very busy dressing deer). I said I didn't want the meat, I just wanted her put out of her misery. He agreed to do it (which was very, very nice of him.) I left her with him. She was a really good layer and a very friendly hen. I'll miss her.
We're down to a flock of 4 now: Grace (another Buff Orpington), Ada (an Ameraucana who lays big, blue-green eggs), Annie and Dora (both Australorps). I'm already starting to think of what I want to get to add to the flock in the spring. I'm thinking maybe a couple more Ameraucanas and a couple of Welsummers or Marans. I want hens that will be as friendly as the girls we have now.
