A Squeemish Subject: Euthanasia

[FrenchToast]

Quote:
I think that the way you do it is probably the least stressful on the animal. I was contemplating on taking my extra roosters to the butcher shop. It is 70 miles away.
Then I thouht about the stress the poor animals would be going thru jus in the trip alone.
Then to be carted off into the slaughter room....... I gave up on the idea. I still have the roosters here.

What I don't understand about the broom method is how do you get the bird relaxed enough and to quit fighting you while you are positioning it for the deed?
To me that would be very stressful on the bird. So you actually have to step on the broom and apply pressure on its neck before you grab the legs and pull upward to break the neck?
Isn't that painful and stressfull?
I have to admit my husband is an avid hunter and he has broke the necks of several of my sick or injured birds and one time I went to dispose of the body and the bird had not died !!! I was shocked to say the least and felt so bad. He imediately did it again. Guess he didn't hear of feel the snap???

That is one of the reasons I decided to read all of these posts. Sure wish there was just a pill to put it to sleep, actually just overdose it. The only stress they would have is when you are holding it to open its mouth and put the pill in and get it to swallow.

 

[Beekissed]

When you do it with your hand, you can feel the snap and separation of the cervical spaces. I don't recommend actually wringing, though. I've had that go wrong, though I don't know just how that bird survived the rapid twirling of the neck that is the wringing process. The rapid up and down snap seems to be the most effective.

 

[ekemily]

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I just have to point out, that birds have a very poor sense of smell. So honestly, the only difference is that the car ride may be longer than the walk out behind your shed, which may be just as confusing and stressful.

you're absolutely right. My oversight. But, if they have their eyes and ears, then they see the dogs and they hear the barking dogs. I've worked at a vet's office before. The dogs bark regularly. I think we will just have to agree to disagree at this point.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
I just have to point out, that birds have a very poor sense of smell. So honestly, the only difference is that the car ride may be longer than the walk out behind your shed, which may be just as confusing and stressful.

you're absolutely right. My oversight. But, if they have their eyes and ears, then they see the dogs and they hear the barking dogs. I've worked at a vet's office before. The dogs bark regularly. I think we will just have to agree to disagree at this point.

I tend to agree with edemily. It does seem to me like the trip to this scary place is so stressful. But then what do I know, I'm not a chicken and I won't take mine to the vet for this anyway. I take it much more personally than that. I want it to feel the love and caring up to the end and do it myself. Then cry. Its odd too, when it's a bird for food, it doesn't much bother me. As long as it was intended for that from the beginning. I'm probably going to end up having to sell 2 year old hens to keep from having a retirement home for chickens eventually lol. Yet on the other hand, I have some dang good smelling homegrown chicken in the oven right now.

 

[kperki]

As chicken keepers, many of us have come across the same road blocks, and have had to do a lot of our own vetting and treating of our beloved pets and livelyhoods alike due to lack of vet support for the animals we choose to keep. There seems to be a lot of strong feelings when it comes to euthanizing...a subject that many of us have had to face. Here, I would like to create a friendly and supportive environment to discuss the subject. Methods, results, and why you choose that particular method.

Personally, I have not yet had to euthanize any of my flock, but I know there may well come a time when I might be faced with the decission. The method I would probably choose is as follows. This method is one that is often used in wildlife rehabilitation, and carries over well for my chickens, since I will be doing most of my vetting and treatment on my own (due to complete and utter lack of any vet that does chickens in my area).

A largish storage tote with a lid, a heating pad, a bowl, and a block of dry ice. The bowl is to hold the ice, placed at one end of the tote. The heating pad placed under the other end. The animal (in this case a chicken) to be placed inside the tote on the end with the heating pad (I like to use blankets for extra comfort). Close the lid, seal it, and give it time. I also have the option of injectable methods at my disposal, but since most of us will not, I would like to share a somewhat quiet, "peaceful", and clean death (as far as death, which by definition, is really none of those things goes).

You may not agree, but please do it diplomatically. Death is an extremely sensitive topic for many people. Please share your viewpoints and methods, but PLEASE do not try to force your views or methods on others. I merely want to make available multiple methods and options for those of us unfortunate enough to have to face this subject.

What would the dose be for using "ace" and how do you do it? Can it be given orally or is it injectable only, if so where is best? Thanks for any help.