baby turkey with deformity...

[Wynette]

Quote:
IMO, this is the best/quickest/easiest method. Carbon dioxide or other gases such as starter fluid basically suffocate the chick, and it takes some time. It DOES work, and if you're okay with several minutes of suffocating before it expires, then use this method. I have used it, and it does work, just takes time.

Their neck bones are very small and not very hard with babies...so, heavy duty scissors go through quickly and there it is instant. You can put it in a little bag or cover with a towel after you place the scissors so you don't have to watch if that's easier. Best of luck - it's never easy, but part of the responsibility of owning livestock.

 

[thecityman]

Thanks everyone....both for the incredibly helpful information AND for your obvious empathy with what I may have to do. THe little guy has quit crying for now, but still seems awake, alert, and ok other than not being able to walk. Therefore, I'm inclined to give it at least another day or two....I just want to give it EVERY POSSIBLE CHANCE....but by the looks of its leg- basically its foot is just turned outward from its body- I doubt its going to get better. Obviously the carbon dioxide options are more appealing to me, but part of my thinks the neck break/neck severe method would be quicker and therefore more humane.....I'm going to keep thinking and also keep hoping something will change. Again, thanks all for the info and for understanding how hard it is for me to euthanize something I am so proud of and think is so cute! I'll continue to watch for more advice/info.
Thanks, all.
Kevin

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I do it this way except I also grab a brown paper bag and cut the head into the bag and immediatly put body in there and roll bag up=mind you it will flop around too-It is not feeling a thing its nerves so dont freak out-I did the first couple times. Im sorry there is no easy way for the owner really but for the bird it's the fastest most humane way to go thats quick-dont second guess it when your ready just do it:-(

 

[mbnewby]

you people scare me

 

[thaiturkey]

Cityman, I empathise with you! I would be in two minds too, especially if there seemed to be a ray of hope. If he doesn't seem to be in pain now I would also be tempted to hang on a little longer. One of our first poults had a toe turned to one side because of an infection that we got treated. Not as drastic as what you describe admittedly, but the poor thing dragged along bravely behind the others for a few weeks. She's now fine. I'm glad that in our case we didn't rush to take the final solution.

As a matter of interest, what happened to the mother?

 

[pdpatch]

Quote:
When you consider what would happen if this turkey was in the Wild it's much better. Most likely the flock would leave the chick to starve to death or be eaten alive by some predator. In the wild, a hatch of 8 or 9 chicks maybe 2 or 3 will make it to being an adult in the wild. So it may sound bad at first but it's much less cruel then what happen in nature.

Even in your flock the chance of this turkey making it to adult hood is slim to none. So any attempt to prolong it's life would cause unneeded suffering of the animal.

Tom

 

[VelvetDragon]

The American Veterinary Medical Association publishes assessments of humane and inhumane euthanasia techniques for livestock, the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. Extensive studies have been done, including things like electrical activity persisting in the brain, amount of distress, and so on, so they're pretty good guidelines to follow. I know you want to do this as humanely as possible for the good of the bird, and the fact that these are wild turkeys make it difficult to go to a vet.

However, one option is to take it to the vet, wildlife rehab or the local Audubon Society, and say that you found it on your property and that it was deformed and turn it over to them for rehab or euthanasia. You wouldn't have to mention your other turkeys. They would euthanize the bird humanely with an overdose of anesthetic, as pets are euthanized.

C02 (carbon dioxide) and carbon monoxide are considered acceptable methods of euthanasia for birds, but only with proper equipment (use of dry ice, for example, is specifically declared unacceptable). Cervical dislocation and decapitation are considered conditionally acceptable.

Physical methods of euthanasia are only humane if carried out by someone who is confident and skilled in their execution. You absolutely have to follow through, and swiftly, if you choose a physical method.

The "pulling on the head" to internally decapitate the bird (cervical dislocation) without removing the head doesn't always cause instant unconsciousness and death in poultry. They can survive internal decapitation for a while. However, removing the head (decapitation) with a sharp blade quickens the death because of exsanguination (blood loss). With a proper, sharp blade, this method is conditionally acceptable. Studies found that electrical activity in the brain continues for about 13 seconds after decapitation, but in many cases, loss of consciousness happens more quickly.

CO2 is acceptable but only at the appropriate levels, otherwise it can cause distress (including internal lesions in the respiratory tract). The AVMA recommends only using compressed CO2 in cylinders, however, and considers dry ice and other forms unacceptable because the amount of CO2 isn't regulated. Carbon monoxide is even trickier.

 

[thecityman]

Again, I want to thank everyone for your info and empathy with what I'm going to have to do. That last post was especially helpful, and I also appreciated your recognition that the fact that these are wild turkeys complicates things a bit in terms of who I can reach out to, though your suggested cover story is a good idea. Sadly, it more clear to me now than ever before that I am going to have to do what I've been dreading. While I do not think the little chick is in constant pain, things are getting worse instead of better. It cannot stand AT ALL....none. It just sort of pushes itself around with its semi-good foot (I say semi because I am not even sure it is 100% proper...seems like if it had one good leg it could stand on it at least occassionally). The other problem is that the deformed leg is started to get a significant sore on it where it is being dragged on the ground constantly. In other words, I now feel I've reached a point where continuing to try and give this chick a chance is actually just prolonging theinevitable and perhaps even causing it to suffer unneccesarlily. Some of you probably feel (and perhaps rightly so) that I've already waited too long, and I'm sorry. But while part of it has been me trying to prepare myself to do something so abhorent (in my mind) but part of it really has been to wait and make absolutely certain that this wouldn't correct itself in some way...ie to give the little guy every POSSIBLE chance. I'm soooo proud of these wild turkeys and knowing that they absolutely would not have been born without my intervention and I therefore desperately wanted as many as possible to make it. But its time, and now I know that.
In the final analysis, based on every single one of your comments and information, I'm pretty sure I'm going to (Gosh, I can barely even type this) sever its head off at the neck with a pair of heavy-duty, sharp sissors. Most likely on Saturday....SOOOO.....IF ANYONE HAS ANY LAST COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THAT METHOD OR ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS SITUATION, please make it now.
Again, I sincerely appreciate everyones help here. I also think you'd all be surprised if you knew me that this has been so incredibly hard for me....I'm really not a pansy about such thing....believe it or not I'm actually a hunter who takes game on a regular basis (I know I probably just angered some of you with that revelation) but for me, hunting is FAR CRY from picking up such an adorable, helpless, fluffy baby- one that I feel completely responsible for bringing into the world and which I am so proud of, partly because its a wild animal- and killing it. Whatever the reason, even I can't believe how hard this has been for me!!! thanks, and any final thoughts will be appreciated.
kevin

 

[VelvetDragon]

Good luck, I'm sorry you have to do this.

 

[OmaBird]

My daughter works or a vet. They euthanise for free for birds.