What is the most 'humane' way to cull a chicken?

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ninjascrub69

ninjascrub69

Songster
9 Years
Aug 13, 2010
534
10
129
Bloomingdale, MI
My cornishX pullet most likely has a resperatory infection, and i have to cull her (unless its a fungal infection and the oxine works) and i want it to be as painless as possible
 
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Cervical dislocation. Chopping off the head or breaking the neck are the preferred methods. Chopping off the head takes some coordination, strength and fortitude, so I prefer to break the neck. Place a rake tines down on the ground on the chicken's neck with the head on one side of the tines and the body on the other, step on the rake and pull sharply on the bird's feet at the same time. Don't hesitate or be squeamish when you pull. It is very easy to accomplish. Any flapping after is just nervous reaction.

So sorry you may have to do this. I hope the Oxine works.

Good luck.
 
I use a garden pruners. It usually doesn't break the skin, but it severs everything else. The flapping afterwards is horrible, but they are completely dead in an instant.
 
I don't think there are really any good anesthetics for birds. Culling a chicken by decapitation or cervical dislocation is really instantaneous, and they really aren't aware of what's going to happen until it happens, so there's little time of fear, panic or dread. You can hold them and talk soothingly to them right up to the end, they will only know kindness & care right up to the end.
 
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I'm sorry... The ol' farmers around here say" just do it...QUICK" good luck
 
I can tell these ways don't really suit you, its ok I would never try any of these (no offense) but you could try having a pound put your chicken down, that seems like the only way I could ever kill a chicken.
 
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The problem with having a vet do it is that it is expensive and they use a method called a heart stick on smaller animals. I have seen a heart stick done once and it is far worse than cervical dislocation. At least with a neck break the end is nearly instantaneous, whereas a heart stick takes several minutes to achieve the desired results and it is quite distressing to the animal. Cervical dislocation is awful for us to contemplate, but the chicken has no idea that it's coming, so they are completely unaware that anything is happening until it's done. The chicken may have a split second realization that something happened before they lose consciousness, but that is likely all.

Culling is one of the toughest parts of poultry keeping, but it is also a necessary part.
 
Yes, there is a very peaceful way for her to "go to sleep" before hand- I have done it and as soon as I find my original post and thread I will post the link to it. It's the easiest most peaceful way to dispatch a sick hen and takes advantage of their natural instinct to go to roost at dark- no problems.
Sorry to hear about your sick girl- but you will be doing the best thing for her.
 

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