Avoid the death of a hen
The death of a pet is always an extremely sad moment. Chickens are no exception, and their short lifespans only make these deaths more common. The death of a hen is a very difficult moment that you may not have thought of when you brought home your first batch of pans. One day they will leave. Nobody likes to talk about it, but it's something you can't ignore. If you have chickens, you may have developed an attachment to them and sooner or later you will have to face their death.
Life with chickens
You can adopt backyard hens for a number of reasons. This is often egg-driven behavior, self-sufficiency, or a desire to be responsible and closer to nature. Then, whatever the main motive, we gave them names and found that these chickens were social, affectionate, resourceful and each had their own personality.
Then, chickens play an important role in our lives. Every morning we knew we had to go to the chicken coop and put the pullets in. We feed them, spend time with them and bond closely.
They even start talking, your friends ask you how they are, and you can even thank them by sharing your enthusiasm.
We will not fail to warn you if the subject of hens opens social networks. If your friend is considering adopting a chicken, they'll talk to you first because you know better than anyone how satisfying it is to care for another creature. If you have children, they will grow up in contact with your hens, in short, they will become full members of the family. Your chickens need you, and you need them too.
How to react to the death of a chicken?
Some people may not understand your pain and will tell you it's "just" a chicken. But it's normal to be sad. Your grief is part of mourning. It's not just a hen for you, you know her, she has a name that is unique from all the other hens on the planet. She knows you, accepts you, trusts you and loves you in her own way.
Don't blame yourself, even if you feel responsible. Tell yourself that unfortunately, this is the cycle of life, and no matter how hard you try or what steps you take, one day she will leave this world.
Try, even if it's difficult, to take a step back. Remember that no matter how long, your hen is living the best life possible. Every day she will peck, scratch, bathe in dust, interact with you and other hens, and lay down as much as she can. Your hen is capable of living a full life and is certainly happier by your side than she could have been.
How do the hens feel about the death of another hen in the coop?
Like many animals, when a hen is nearing completion, she tends to seek out a quiet place away from other hens. Other co-op residents often visit alone or in pairs. It is a sad and graceful moment when the hen bows her head and goes hand in hand with the dying hen. They grunted softly and made slow gestures as if to pay their last respects to their compatriots.
Some sat nearby, others kept coming back, as if struggling to accept the spell, gripping the floor in front of her, as if telling her that life wasn't over. These chickens may find it difficult to come to terms with the death of another. A sad hen avoids interaction with others and sits in a corner with fluffy feathers.
In the days following the death of a hen, it is not uncommon for loved ones to mourn the loss of a friend. If they were looking for a missing co-op member in a moment of freedom, they would make the sound of laughter coming from the co-op. It may happen that hens close to the deceased die suddenly for unknown reasons. It's like losing the joy of living.
However, once in peace, most hens leave and never return. The hen died alone as she wished. Others go back to their work: rummaging, scratching, taking a dust bath.
My chicken is dead, what should I do?
You may want to bury it in your garden, but find out beforehand as this is not allowed in all cities. This is also prohibited if the soil is clayey or if your hens die of an infectious disease. If burial is allowed, please note that the hole should be deeper than 50cm.
You can also bury your hen in a pet cemetery and there will be a stone tablet with her name on it for you to visit. Another solution is a crematorium, where you can then store or scatter the ashes wherever it suits you.
Handling the hen's body may be beyond your abilities, in which case you can call your vet and they will take care of everything. He will transport your hen to a crematorium or a coffin.