The Chicken World's Worst Chore, culling the injured and sick babies.

Thank you for this article, which clearly explains how to put down a bird. I was worrying over the inevitable end of my pets and this is definitely going to be the way they leave the world when it is time. I already did something similar with my fish and it was way easier than decapitating him like some people suggested. It is calming to me that they are still in one piece at the end...

Sooo helpful, thank you!

I would note to be certain to choose a container large enough for the air to circulate. Your example was great!

But I choose a small Tupperware thinking it was enough for a 3 day old chick, and it was too cramped for her to remain dry. I felt terrible, even though I watched through the clear sides, and it was over instantaneously.

Next time I will definitely use a larger container!

Thank you I’ll file this away when I need it. Of all the methods, I’ve heard this seems like the most humane.

I am so relieved to find your humane method of ending an animal's life without the usual horrific fear of their suffering. I have had to take many loved pets, dogs and cats, to the vet, making their last minutes so stressful, and me hating every moment that they would possibly be in so much confusion and fear. I'm not positive I could perform the act, but I will definitely try to prepare my heart and strength to do it this way next time...for THEM more than me.

I'm going into the silkie breeding business and I've always had the thought in the back of my mind of what am I going to do if a chick hatches that needs to be taken out of its misery. This seems to be my answer and a much more peaceful way of passing.

Thank you for a humane and accessible way to cull sick chicks/chickens who have no hope. this was a well written article, and I appreciated your use of humor and frog statues to make your points clear without being too graphic. I will certainly be bookmarking this, though I certainly hope I will not need it, I suspect we all will, eventually.

Thank you for this. I am likely facing culling a 2 week old chick with a potentially untreatable slipped tendon. I'm hoping he gets better, but hope is never a plan.

We're just starting out with poultry, and one thing we must do when we have animals of any sort is to consider that deaths will happen, no matter how we care for them. Your article was frank and informative and I do appreciate your gentle humor.

Man, I hate this article! ...and like it! The hate part is that the death talk. And the like part is that this is so true... it reminds me of when I had a chick die in my arms, and I had no idea what to do...I wish that it never happened.
But, love the frog replica lol ? and your humor it makes me think your fun and extremely good at staying on topic ? and not getting too sad about it. I obviously would have done this for all my suffering chicks. Another thing I like this is because of the box how you couldn't see in it and watch it die... I wouldn't be able to even face myself in the mirror again! Your brave to have done it ?you will never have to see a chick die a suffering life... Great article again! ?

Very good article. Sounds so peaceful!

Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for this. I try and give mine every possible life chance. I even hand feed my cross beak. I could never cut anything either. I recently watched a video of a farmer saying he processes all his animals beef/sheep/chickens/and goats. He said he felt like he owed it to them to be there in death as he raised them in life. God bless him for that but I am so tender hearted I get upset at a plucking moreless a culling to sale. I have a silkie that is splade and I am still trying everything for him but I am terrified he may be the first that requires intervention. In the broader he scoots to it all but I know he couldnt make it in a lot. This would be a way I could do this without feeling 1000 percent sad. I will still feel bad but that I couldnt fix him but I wouldn’t want him to starve to death.

Good article on culling!

Once again, an excellent tutorial with a light-hearted presentation. I for one appreciate that. I have never thought about this method of disposal either. Thank you!

Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and thorough article on such an unpleasant subject.

Thank you very much for writing up such a well balanced article about such a delicate topic!
I was lucky so far that i never had to cull a duckling, but it is not a question of "if" but of "when" i need to do that and surely your article will help a lot then.

Thank you for discussing a tough subject (with your usual good humor).

Thank you! This is informative and handled nicely (thanks for the humor!).
I too am wondering if it is an effective/humane method of helping a mature bird??? My guess is the amount of ether would be increased to the max???

We have not culled - yet - but there may come a time when there is an ill or injured bird. The Vets here do not treat or euthanize chickens. Unfortunately, in an earlier life, I was witness to one too many massacres (Knives, hatchets, improper preparation, terrified critters etc. NOT good.)
I cannot bear the idea of that again. This method, handled properly, seems humane.

Ralphie, you rock!!!