Back story - Our cockerel was attacked by a rottweiler last summer,which resulted in a badly broken leg,vet attempted to splint it,but the foot died off.
After a great deal of thought & discussion with the vet,we decided to go ahead & amputate the leg (above the knee joint).This was last July.
The stump healed well but with him being such a big boy ( buff orpington mix) he has struggled to hop,he can get around but it is an effort & involves a lot of flapping,which tires him.
But he has seemed happy,he is eating & drinking & mingling with his ladies.But he has to be lifted in & out of the coop & I have to make sure he has food/water near him,so he gets enough to eat/drink.He has also stopped crowing recently.
With the avian flu risk & the containment procedures,my flock are confined to a smaller covered space & his mood seems to have dropped & I am struggling with the decision of if it is the right time to let him go.
It is such a difficult decision,as he is eating & drinking,but in the past few weeks,has not been moving around much & doesn't seem happy.He is still feisty,when I lift him in & out of the coop.But I worry about his quality of life.I would hate to think of him suffering,as he's such a special bird,with lots of character & such a fighter.But is it fair to let him carry on?