[Catsmuvva]

I'm sat here typing this with Spike dozing on my lap. It was 10 days ago that I mentioned I was taking her to the vets and reported back that she had bucked up and the vet was happy for her to come home. However, her appetite has almost gone and over the last couple of days all she's wanted to do is sleep. She doesn't appear to be in pain, just too tired to care about living any more.
Although we're all familiar with chickens' cute ways I discovered yesterday just how cruel they can be when, sitting Spike out in the sun on a patch of straw, some of the girls came over, scratched away the bedding and started to grab her by the comb, shaking her head so I scooped Spike up and popped her back in the sick quarters. This morning all she wants to do is sleep and I know that if she doesn't go in her sleep I'll be taking her back to the vets in the morning.
She's had a much better life here for the last 13 months than she ever had in her previous existence in a battery cage and I'll never forget her first day out free ranging when, wearing head, tail & wing feathers and nothing more, she strutted over to Kally, my Burmese cat, stretched out in the sun and promptly stood on his back - I've never seen him move so fast and it set a precedent ... chickens, not cats, now rule the garden! Good on ya, Spike, love you lots...

[dizzylizzie]

To a life well lived eh?
sending hugs x

[joyfull]

happy memories of life as a real free chicken. Huge hugs for Spike xx

[hillfooter]

It's always a sad day but when there's nothing that can be done minimising the suffering is the best course.  Not easy though.  But you've given her a happy life.

Best wishes
HF

[Catsmuvva]

Thank you all for your kind words.
Spike was laid to rest beside Lady G on Monday, the vet said I'd done all I could and she passed away peacefully, not even a flutter, bless her...

[themagicaltoad1]

You gave her a lovely end to what must have been a horrible life.

[Jeanette]

You did everything that you could do. She ended her life knowing that she was loved and she had happy times doing what a chicken should do. So sad