A Squeemish Subject: Euthanasia

[kari_dawn]

Haven't considered that one...there are a lot of drugs that could do the deed I think...but length of time they take to work? Would it cause the chicken to suffer? I don't know.

 

[featherz]

I tried several of these methods when I had to put my chicken down and I ended up just getting out the broomstick. Quick and done. My C02 chamber I tried - she started to gasp and I couldn't handle it, same with the ether. Both methods seemed like they are slower than I'd like and not comfortable - that said, it may have been 100% my chamber/technique. if those wall hung neck breakers were cheaper, I'd get one of those, but as I only kill when I have a sick bird, it's not cost effective.
I don't think I have the upper body strength to just snap the neck with one hand, but with the broomstick it gives me enough oomph to get the job done. I hope not to have to do it again, but I know I will.

 

[goobhen]

I took a chicken to my vet. The chicken had a cross-beak. My vet said I would eventually have to cull it. My vet told me the best way was wringing the chicken's neck! I said I thought chopping his head off would be less painful, he said no, wringing the neck was best. My vet is a country vet, he raises his own chickens, both for meat and eggs.

 

[Mattemma]

I covered my hens head with a sock.She never flopped or anything when I placed her neck between the two nails and chopped her head off.It was fast and easy. I buried her.Cried.Relieved she was no longer suffering.

 

[galanie]

Quote:

 

[RedDrgn]

Interesting thread...depressing, but necessary.

I have not had to put a chicken down, yet. I'm sure the opportunity will inevitably present itself, though since we have no plans to give up our chickens. If I had to do the deed, though, I'm certain I would use my .177 caliber air rifle; head shot. Virtually no mess and very quick, and probably the only way that I could actually handle doing it myself.

 

[dolly85]

If we have a chicken who needs to be put down or butchered my husband takes it out back and chops the head cleanly off with an axe. Overdosing any animal on pills is extremely cruel and causes a LOT of pain and suffering. And freezing them? Awful. Stupid. I don't know how anyone with common sense would try that! Depriving them of oxygen is the same as suffocating them IMO. Might as well hold them underwater and drown them.

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

Who mentioned freezing them? I think that is awful to. If you are talking about the dry ice thing it is not freezing them. Dry ice gives off gasses as it evaporates and this knocks out the chicken and kills it. The heating pad would make the dry ice evaporate quicker (and keep the chicken warm). Unless I am misunderstanding something?

Trish

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
there was a thread a couple of weeks ago where putting tiny chicks in the freezer as a culling method came up.

 

[FrenchToast]

Quote:
I think it would depend on which drugs were used, no? When you are sedated for surgery do you feel alot of pain and suffering? So I think it all depends on what is used.
I agree, depriving them of oxygen is the same as suffocating however there are some types of chambers that are used commercially that don't acually suffocate.

Currently having my nephew look into that as he is in the animal science program at the university and he is very concerned about humane endings.

I will post more as I find out. In the mean time I too can't do the deed. Hopefully I will be strong enough to do it if need be if my DH isn't around.

Good thread as this is part of chicken raising whether it be as pets or market.