Benadryl to Euthanize Chicken?

[Laurasb65]

My grandma used to break their necks with one hand supposedly, just a flick of the wrist. I have yet to meet anyone who uses this method but I would sure like to know how it worked cause it seems very no-nonsense.

Yes it does sound very no-nonsense

 

[Echelontheory101]

Granted my method is for meat birds, not necessarily to put a sick chicken out of its misery but would have the same end result. If you look online or at feed stores you can buy (or make) a processing cone to attach to a tree. You put the chicken in the cone and I use a very sharp pair of branch loppers rated for atleast 3 inch branches. One snip and its all over immediately the head is gone so there is no chance it felt anything after the cut which is why I prefer it over all other methods for me atleast BUT as others have stated you do have to commit to the cut. If you dont think you can I would probably stick with the broom method

 

[Anon112]

I would argue that this method is riskier (in that it may or may not work), longer (who knows how long it took for the bird to die or if it was painful?), and far less "accurate", than decapitation. Did you spare yourself from the disturbing "image"? Yes, but as others have said, humane culling is not about making the human feel better, it's about what's best/most humane for the animal.

This was my initial reaction as well. I would be very hesitant to give a chicken a medication unless I was sure of the effects. What if it looked peaceful from the outside, but what was really happening inside was that the chicken was suffocating or something similar? What if it caused confusion/stress/pain/discomfort/fear that lasted minutes or even hours?

I would love it if there was a magic pill that could quickly and gently kill a chicken in need of euthanasia. But until that exists, it's the axe and stump at this house.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

My grandma used to break their necks with one hand supposedly, just a flick of the wrist. I have yet to meet anyone who uses this method but I would sure like to know how it worked cause it seems very no-nonsense.

BLC

My grandma used to break their necks with one hand supposedly, just a flick of the wrist. I have yet to meet anyone who uses this method but I would sure like to know how it worked cause it seems very no-nonsense.

BLC,
My dad, a city kid, described when my mom took him home for a meet mom and dad and dinner. My dad described my grandmother going out to the chicken pen grabbing two birds by the neck and snapping their necks on the way back to the house.
That was probably mid to late 1930's, almost 100 years ago.

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

This was my initial reaction as well. I would be very hesitant to give a chicken a medication unless I was sure of the effects. What if it looked peaceful from the outside, but what was really happening inside was that the chicken was suffocating or something similar? What if it caused confusion/stress/pain/discomfort/fear that lasted minutes or even hours?

I would love it if there was a magic pill that could quickly and gently kill a chicken in need of euthanasia. But until that exists, it's the axe and stump at this house.

My saying was, we're going to have a meeting at the block.

 

[DemeterAD9]

Old thread, looks like someone found it and revived it. While I still say the fastest way is the best way, I'd like to critique my answer as I've gotten lots more experience now from processing dozens of chickens since 2024.

Originally I said the broom stick method but after a few botched attempts including a couple total decapitations and one escapee who played possum, I decided to try something different. When I got Cornish cross last year I decided to try bleeding them out and honestly I didn't like it as it wasn't instant. I suppose meat quality is best when the heart keeps pumping out the blood but I don't think making them suffer an extra minute or so is worth it. Then I tried cutting off the head which was not half bad but I found it rather messy with the flopping around (even held upside down in a DIY kill cone).

I've decided I like my dad's little .177 break barrel air rifle (fancy pellet gun). Simply load the gun, grab the bird and hold it by the legs so it's belly is on the ground. They will hold their head up off the ground a little but no problem there. Then point the barrel of the gun at the back of the head (not necessarily touching) and shoot. They seize up for a moment and then do the death flop. It has yet to fail me and it works at a distance too if your aim is good. I can't say I've found much difference in meat quality between bleeding them or just going straight for the brain. I mean, if I had to choose the way I get sent into the great beyond by the hands of someone else I think I'd take the bullet too as opposed to any other method mentioned.

Now when it comes to the few birds I truly consider more as pets than livestock... I can still do it but I might cry.

 

[kattabelly]

My grandma used to break their necks with one hand supposedly, just a flick of the wrist. I have yet to meet anyone who uses this method but I would sure like to know how it worked cause it seems very no-nonsense.

I do it sometimes just before bleeding. Usually with a bird that I think is going to be difficult to get in the cone while alive, or really doesn't like being handled to the extent that they're making a huge racket and upsetting the others. (If I'm planning to harvest a bird I'll usually either separate them the night before or take them off the roost really early while it's still dark, so I can get them dead and bled while the others aren't around to see)

 

[ABQ chicken keeper]

I sent you a DM, Direct Message. Look at the top of the page for a little envelope with a number 1 on it and click it. It's a private message.

The broom stick method is available on YOU TUBE.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The broom stick method is available on YOU TUBE.

Yes but it's 11 minutes long as the lady talks and talks, cuddling her rooster, then it happens so fast you can't really see what's happening. At least that was the one I found. I never found a good one.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yes but it's 11 minutes long as the lady talks and talks, cuddling her rooster, then it happens so fast you can't really see what's happening. At least that was the one I found. I never found a good one.

I know a good one, if I find it again, I'll share it.