Anyone heard of the CO2 cull method?

[NonnasBabies]

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Sometimes I think I would want to... Whether because they are really sick, or something else... I think it is easier to just ease its passing.

I let nature take care of it, I know that it is hard seeing an animal suffer, but if it is fighting for its life, then i let it fight, and do what I can to make it comfortable.

So you just allow it to suffer??

 

[BrattishTaz]

I found this in The Merck Veterinary Manual. Search "euthanasia" if you want to read the whole thing. The page did not include or exclude poultry chicks specifically. I wouldn't risk it.

"Inhalant agents should not be used alone in animals <16 wk old because neonatal animals are more resistant to hypoxia and it takes longer for them to die."

 

[Kavaji]

IMHO, I think that the CO2 has them suffer a bit too long. I would just break their neck real quick or cut the head off with an axe. It's quick and painless. I mean they're already suffering, just end it for them as quick as possible. But, that's just me.

 

[Tokajein]

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I let nature take care of it, I know that it is hard seeing an animal suffer, but if it is fighting for its life, then i let it fight, and do what I can to make it comfortable.

So you just allow it to suffer??

I do what I can to help it, then let mother nature do the rest.
Like one of my newly hatched chicks a couple days ago was dying, bled through a highly absorbent paper towel, and was very tiny.
I did what I could to stop the bleeding though some other people told me to just cull it.
And guess what?
It made it through the night and even though it is still tiny, it pushes all the other chicks around.
I give the animals a chance to save themselves, because it is not in my place to take an innocents life, especially when they are fighting so hard.

 

[BWKatz]

I agree with Tolkajean JMHO.

 

[Suechick]

I haven't had to cull a chicken yet. But I have worked with other species. I agree that cervical dislocation is quick and humane for the animal, but it nearly put me on prozac! CO2 will work but it takes a while to get enough gas to kill the animal. Since CO2 is heavier than air it will settle in a container. You can start generating it in a sealed cooler then add in the animal after about 5 minutes. That should make it go a little faster. I've used dry ice to generate the CO2 in the past. The cold temps helps make the animal more comfortable too. Overall, it's no fun! I'm sorry you have to do this.

 

[BrattishTaz]

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I've never seen a chick that is comfortable in cooler temps. They usually yell their heads off if they get cold. I'll just take the prozac and do what is best for the chick.

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

Thanks for posting this thread! I was just thinking yesterday that I have no idea what the best method of culling a chick is. I usually just let nature take its course if it is not in obvious pain or suffering, but last night I had a chick that was convulsing and foaming. I thought I might have to end it, but luckily it was dead by the time I returned to the room a couple minutes later. So thank you everybody who has posted their opinions. You have helped more people than just the OP.

 

[okieinalaska]

Just wanted to say that we had a new hamster and after having it home for 2 days it developed wet tail and it's intestines were coming out. Called the vet and they wanted $120 to put the poor thing to sleep.

Poor thing was suffering but I couldn't afford that! I used dry ice in a little plastic container with water and then put it in a bigger container holding the hamster wrapped up (so the ice wouldn't touch him) and the Co2 did make him go to sleep and pass away peacefully.

Now I don't know that I would try this on a chicken but it did work for the tiny hamster.

 

[Smittenroade]

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