You’ve loved them for all their life. Now, you want an easy death for them.
By: Dalia Monterroso, The President of Chickenlandia
If you’re reading this right now, there’s no doubt in my mind that you love your chickens. Unfortunately, no amount of love can save a being from the inevitable process of bodily death. If it’s any comfort, there are ways in which we can help our chickens pass on to the next adventure with less struggle, pain, and resistance. Don’t worry; the options I wish to discuss do not cause harm and will not cause a chicken to die if that’s not already the trajectory.
Let Go of the Guilt
First things first, please do not feel guilty. There are so many factors that go into the health of a chicken and how long they live. Most of those factors are well beyond your control. Production breeds, especially, are vulnerable to all kinds of afflictions. Even seemingly indestructible bantam chickens can succumb when least expected. It’s never easy, and I can say with almost 100% certainty that it’s not your fault.
Offer a Peaceful Environment
Before you administer anything to help your chicken pass peacefully, you will first want to remove them from the flock either completely or partially. A chicken that doesn’t mind being inside and has had a lot of human interaction may be most comfortable in a quiet bathroom or section of the garage.
On the other hand, a chicken that you know would rather be chased by a raccoon than experience human interaction can be kept outside with her flock but safely behind some kind of a wire barrier or enclosure. This way, she can see the flock and experience their comfort while not being subject to the darker aspects of the pecking order (sick chickens can be harmed or even killed by their flock-mates).
The Flower Essence
It was difficult for me to locate a good definition that clearly states what flower essences are. The best definition I found was from a company that actually makes them. I have no association with this company, nor am I selling their product. But their website is great! Here is the flower essence definition as defined by the folks at Forrest Green Farm:
So there you have it. I have been using flower essences for over thirty years and have found them to be essential to my overall wellness and the wellness of my family. The essence Angel’s Trumpet, specifically, has been an absolute gift when I’m faced with a dying chicken. This essence’s purpose is not to make the chicken die or to have any physical effect. It simply helps anyone taking it to accept the process of death on an emotional (and, I dare say, spiritual) level. It also helps me to feel more peaceful just from administering it.
The Homeopathic
Merriam-Webster defines Homeopathic Medicine as: “a system of alternative medicine that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce symptoms in healthy persons similar to those of the disease.”
In other words, according to the founder of homeopathy, like heals like. I have been using homeopathic remedies for as long as I’ve been using flower essences. They have also become an integral part of mine and my family’s health and healing, even for my chickens!
Arsenicum Album is a homeopathic remedy known as a “polycrest,” which means that it has a wide variety of indications, with ease of death being just one. When I have a chicken that is clearly dying, I will administer Arsenicum Album in the 30c potency. This remedy, along with Angel’s Trumpet, has made the process of dying so much easier for several of my chickens over the years. Again, this remedy is not going to make your chicken die. Its purpose is to help ease the struggle of a chicken that is already dying.
Options for Dosing
If my chicken is still drinking liquids, I will simply place two drops of Angel’s Trumpet and two pellets of Arsenicum Album 30c into her water. Each time the chicken takes a sip of water, she will get a dose.
If I have a chicken that is no longer drinking on her own, I will put two drops of Angel’s Trumpet and two pellets of Arsenicum Album into a glass of water, pull some water into a needle-less syringe, and administer a drop or two onto the side of my chicken’s beak every few hours. The liquid need only make contact with the inside of the beak; she doesn’t have to drink it. This method should be used only if the chicken doesn’t mind being handled. If a chicken really doesn’t want to be handled, you can simply put a couple of drops from the treated glass of water onto the back of her neck.
A Lifetime of Gratitude
It’s not easy, but when I’m dealing with death in my flock, it does serve as a reminder that the most important thing in life is how it was lived. I’m so grateful for the time I get with my chickens, and I’m glad I can give them the kind of life I wish all chickens on earth could have. During our last moments together, I will tell my chicken thank you. Thank you for making me laugh. Thank you for easing my stress. And when they look back at me, I sometimes feel that I can hear them saying, “And thank you for letting me peck and scratch. I liked that.”
