Shooting a rooster?

[BatonRougeChick]

I know it's not ideal. But has anyone killed a rooster with a .22 rifle? If one were to do this, where is the best place to shoot?

 

[Matt416]

I can't believe anyone shoots a cockerel when they need to kill it.

My Husband has needed to put a few out of their misery and has always wrung their neck.

He's done this to our Rhode Island Red, Maran and another breed also.

Yes they do have strong necks but it is a quick way to end their suffering.

I would not try this with a goose though.

With old retired layers that are very personable, I want to make it as quick and comfortable for the old girl as possible.
Even swinging the axe seems to excite them, never mind putting hands on them. So I get them comfortable and relaxed and put a 22 right behind their ear.
Instantly drops them. No fuss, no last breaths drenched in fear. Just lights out and off to the great chicken coop in the sky.
Cockerels or overly aggressive roosters. No sympathy. Meat birds get the funnel.
But a hen that's produced and been friendly for years... I respect them.

 

[Matt416]

Again animals don't fear death. They also have no concept of time. Therefore, they don't want along life. They just want to be fine for the next hour. They have no concept of trying to stay alive for any extended period. As long as it is clean they don't mind.

Your post, how the animals are put down based on your feelings toward them.

I get that they are essentially lizards. There's no doubt. They don't feel love or anger or compassion. But they do feel fear. They hide from circling predatory birds and even airplanes. Is not fear just a self preservation response?
And some chickens are mean, some are overly skittish, and some are friendly.
The opinion that it's sad to feel compassion and respect when culling a retired laying hen... that's what's sad.
I grow my own meat from a beefer hogs, turkeys and chickens, I process them from fence to freezer. Livestock serves a purpose.
But to me, compassion isn't a negative trait.

 

[ScottyChic]

If it was in attack mode, I would wait until sunset then take it out of it's sleeping quarters - one swift grab and snap.

Done

 

[BatonRougeChick]

My rooster is in attack mode even in the dark. This is why I want to kill it without having to handle it. I guess of actually have to hit the brain to have a successful shot with a .22? Definitely don't want to use a shotgun because he's going to become gumbo which I'm entering into the gumbo cook off at work!

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Don't be chicken of a chicken, just grab him and wring his neck or whack his head off!

 

[chicken hawc]

I shot one of my roosters and sent him to the oven. He tasted just the same as any other rooster I had eaten. I couldnt catch him and he was very fast. I left him out over night and the next morning he unexpectedly was shot in the back of the head. I choose the back of the head because I didnt want to take any chance of the bullet entering the body, and you are guaranteed a clean kill.

 

[Klutch]

.22 is fine, just a bit overkill. A BB gun or pellet will do the deed even better.(less noise)
BANG vs pit.

 

[sourland]

A head shot would provide the cleanest kill.

 

[3KillerBs]

I agree on the head shot -- especially if you want to eat him.

But why waste a bullet and risk a poor kill rather than using one of the normal methods?

If you must shoot him, I'd think that a shotgun with a pellet load suited to game of his weight (gun shop people should be able to advise you), would be better than a .22 because you don't have to be Annie Oakley to achieve a clean kill.