Best way to cull a chick?

[juliette2009]

I use the starter fluid method as well.

Soooo sorry!

 

[snazzyboots]

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me too. i work at a vet and that is my plan unless i have one that is really suffering.

 

[fshinggrl]

I am sorry.

I would do the neck... wtg though for thinking of the welfare of the chick.

 

[amaurer]

I'm new here, so sorry to drag up an older thread, but I have some chemical experience and this should be on the record: starting fluid is NOT the proper type of ether for euthanasia!!!!!

Starter fluid is "petroleum ether"... which, chemically, is not "ether" at all, but more closely related to solvents like Naptha and paint thinner. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_ether)

The ether used as an anesthetic (and as a euthanizing gas) is "diethyl ether"... a COMPLETELY different substance. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diethyl_ether)

Even though you have found that petroleum ether kills chicks effectively I'm not sure that we should spread that method around. Petroleum ether is NOT an anesthetic and you could probably achieve the same results using acetone or mineral spirits, etc etc. I have no idea what its like to die under the influence of petroleum ether, but for that reason I think we should stick to the methods that are better established/researched.

 

[Happy Chooks]

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Good point. I researched this method and decided against it when everything says on the label "use in a well ventilated area, may cause burning".

 

[briteday]

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I double checked our can (medical biochemist here) and the starting fluid is in fact diethyl ether as the first ingredient. There are some propellants listed on the label as well, but it is an aerosol form. So I guess it's important to read the label if you're going to use it.

 

[amaurer]

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Hmm, ok - perhaps it depends on the brand? I don't actually have any in front of me, but I recall from 5+ years ago that when I was looking for diethyl ether is was very hard to find in over-the-counter sources.

One great way to know for sure is to pick up the MSDS for your fluid from the mfg or their website - it will give you the CAS number for the ingredients. The good ether is CAS #60-29-7 while the bad stuff is CAS #8032-32-4.

All that said... I personally would still use CO2 over ether. There has actually been some good research done on the subject (can you tell I've had to cull my first chick recently? I've been reading...

) such as:

http://la.rsmjournals.com/cgi/reprint/22/1/67.pdf

The behaviour of chickens, mice and rats during euthanasia with chloroform, carbon dioxide and ether
J. K. BLACKSHAW', D. C. FENWICK, A. W. BEATTIE & D. J. ALLAN

Department of Animal Sciences and Production, and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Queensland

Summary
Euthanasia of chickens, young and mature rats, and mice was assessed using chloroform, carbon dioxide and ether. Behavioural patterns were recorded to give some indication of the stress involved. Carbon dioxide induced collapse faster (11,2 ± 0·4 s) than chloroform (18'9 ± 0,4 s) or ether (> 60 s). With regard to the time taken to death, in carbon dioxide mice had the shortest time (48 ± 10 s) and mature rats had the longest time (135 ± 10 s). In chloroform, the only difference was the delayed onset of death (127 ± 10 s) in the chicken. Behavioural patterns were similar for the chicken in carbon dioxide and chloroform, except for wing flapping, even when unconscious, in carbon dioxide. Chloroform is recommended as more aesthetically acceptable for euthanasia of chickens. Carbon dioxide is recommended for the euthanasia of both rats and mice, considering behavioural criteria. Ether is unsuitable as a euthanasia method as it is dangerous, slow acting and an irritant.​

 

[aquaponics3712]

Where can diethyl ether be purchased?

 

[aquaponics3712]

I posted this in another thread, but since you guys have actually used Ether, I thought I would see what your thoughts are on this:



I have a mean rooster. He attacks everyone - my kids, my hubby, me....and now is is attacking our neighbors. He even has flown up and "flogged" my brother in the back of his head (and his wings are even cut!)

I can't with good conscience give him away. PLUS - I had planned to raise the birds for meat at some point. And now this seems the best time for this roo.

So my husband said he would cull him. However, even though he is mean, I still love him. And I want to do this as humanely as possible and I have looked into the best way to cull him (fast) and with as little pain as possible.

You guys are amazing with your support, and suggestions and I have read a bazillion posts on here on the different ways to do it. I have looked at other research online to support different people's opinion.

I am not confident in the axe method because of potential user error - (a few bad youtube videos have tormented me.)

So my son and my brother built a guillotine thinking that would be the "surest" method. However, when testing it on a green branch, it worked like a charm on a small one, but testing on a stick that was the size of what the neck looks like (with feathers) it only cut 3/4 of the way through. Granted the stick was green and probably bigger than the actual neck - but I just can't stand the thought of it not going completely through severing the head immediately.....AND what's worse are the threads on here that discuss how until brain activity has ceased, they can still be responsive (this possibly feel pain) for around 20 seconds after the head is severed. (I was horrified by this thought) and researched for 2 days and sadly have found research that supports this claim. Now I am REALLY a mess! (I can post the studies at different universities if you want...and if I can find them again.)

The research suggests using an anesthetic before killing. So, the topic of using Ether and it being painless (via some posters on this forum) has gotten me interested. But if I killed him with the gas I would think it would get into the meat making it unfit for consumption. However, what if I only used enough to put it to sleep and then immediately using the axe method. Would this short exposure to the gas still ruin the meat and make it dangerous to eat?

Granted, I may just need to be a big girl and do what needs to be done, but I would just like to know if I can anesthize first befoe killing (perhaps using a soaked rag for a few seconds) and then still eat the meat.

Thanks in advance for your support!

 

[IloveBuffy]

Oh, no.

Maybe the scissors is the best way.