Hi,
I've read probably all the threads about culling chickens before I had to put down an injured chicken this morning. However, I wasn't at all prepared for what happened. I'm posting hoping for confirmation/instruction and also maybe to help others know more before going though the process. Be warned that it is graphic.
I did hold the chicken a bit before to calm her. She felt warm in my lap and I watched her listen attentively to the sounds of the garden. When I started to cry, I knew it was time because she could feel I was upset. I didn't hold her by her legs, but I did support her body and held her upside down a bit so that I could lay her on the ground without a struggle. This did calm her and she did not struggle until I put the broom stick over her neck. It was not an all-out, wing flapping freakout, but she did turn her head and squawk.
The second/s it took to turn her head, put my feet over the broom, grab her legs (or was I already holding them--I don't remember), and pull felt too long, but it probably was quicker than it felt. I felt her neck dislocate and thought she was gone, but when I released her, she flapped. I hadn't remembered reading that--I thought I'd read that they just go limp with this method, but thought, okay, maybe they flap sometimes, too. But...she also opened and closed her eyes and beak. OMG. I thought I didn't do it right. People don't mention that part--because it's so gruesome? Because I did it wrong? So I apologized again and repeated the procedure, horrified that she might be conscious. This time I pulled her head off. Gah! It was surprisingly physically easy. I had a bucket and put the body in there, but the head was still in front of me, eyes opening and closing. At the back of my mind were memories--of seeing a prairie dog at peace but alive in the talons of a hawk that that flew within feet of me, of watching on tv lions waiting for their prey to die when the kill wasn't instantaneous. I know that the body releases chemicals that make suffering less, but still--did I kill my chicken the first time?? I forced myself to get through my horror and I pet her head. Yes, I actually did this. I apologized and said I hoped she'd have a life full of love the next time around. Oddly, this seemed to calm her. Or me, and I projected. Still, I'd forgotten that I'd read that it takes 40 seconds for them to die.
I realize now that maybe my mistake, if I made a mistake, was that maybe I put the broom stick too far close to her shoulder blades and not at the base of her neck? This is gross, but I was surprised at how much of the spinal chord stayed with the head--could that be why she seemed so aware? Or is this normal?
Also, I was surprised that there was very little blood involved. Her body did not drain.
All this said, I am grateful that I did it. Yes, she still had an appetite, but I just couldn't let her suffer any longer in the hopes that she'd get better. Been there, done that. This way, despite everything, is less traumatic. I had an appointment at a vet that specializes in birds, but thought the 1/2 drive (one way) was too long and uncomfortable, especially if it ended with her death--either today or a few weeks from now. When I cancelled the appointment after I'd done the deed, I found that it would have cost over $100 to have her put down. Over $100!! I'm so glad I didn't know that beforehand. Every life to me is precious and it's not that she wasn't worth it, but I'm glad we had a quiet moment together in the garden rather than a long drive before her end.
The other girls are asking the death question. I can hear them. All my hens have done it, and it isn't learned. It sounds like "Where is she? Is she gone?" Goes on for a few hours to days. I don't have roosters, and when the hens have paired off, the second of the pair usually lets go soon after. Heartbreak? Unity? We'll see if that happens again this time.
Thanks for listening and for any input you might had. If it's negative, though, please be gentle.
I've read probably all the threads about culling chickens before I had to put down an injured chicken this morning. However, I wasn't at all prepared for what happened. I'm posting hoping for confirmation/instruction and also maybe to help others know more before going though the process. Be warned that it is graphic.
I did hold the chicken a bit before to calm her. She felt warm in my lap and I watched her listen attentively to the sounds of the garden. When I started to cry, I knew it was time because she could feel I was upset. I didn't hold her by her legs, but I did support her body and held her upside down a bit so that I could lay her on the ground without a struggle. This did calm her and she did not struggle until I put the broom stick over her neck. It was not an all-out, wing flapping freakout, but she did turn her head and squawk.
The second/s it took to turn her head, put my feet over the broom, grab her legs (or was I already holding them--I don't remember), and pull felt too long, but it probably was quicker than it felt. I felt her neck dislocate and thought she was gone, but when I released her, she flapped. I hadn't remembered reading that--I thought I'd read that they just go limp with this method, but thought, okay, maybe they flap sometimes, too. But...she also opened and closed her eyes and beak. OMG. I thought I didn't do it right. People don't mention that part--because it's so gruesome? Because I did it wrong? So I apologized again and repeated the procedure, horrified that she might be conscious. This time I pulled her head off. Gah! It was surprisingly physically easy. I had a bucket and put the body in there, but the head was still in front of me, eyes opening and closing. At the back of my mind were memories--of seeing a prairie dog at peace but alive in the talons of a hawk that that flew within feet of me, of watching on tv lions waiting for their prey to die when the kill wasn't instantaneous. I know that the body releases chemicals that make suffering less, but still--did I kill my chicken the first time?? I forced myself to get through my horror and I pet her head. Yes, I actually did this. I apologized and said I hoped she'd have a life full of love the next time around. Oddly, this seemed to calm her. Or me, and I projected. Still, I'd forgotten that I'd read that it takes 40 seconds for them to die.
I realize now that maybe my mistake, if I made a mistake, was that maybe I put the broom stick too far close to her shoulder blades and not at the base of her neck? This is gross, but I was surprised at how much of the spinal chord stayed with the head--could that be why she seemed so aware? Or is this normal?
Also, I was surprised that there was very little blood involved. Her body did not drain.
All this said, I am grateful that I did it. Yes, she still had an appetite, but I just couldn't let her suffer any longer in the hopes that she'd get better. Been there, done that. This way, despite everything, is less traumatic. I had an appointment at a vet that specializes in birds, but thought the 1/2 drive (one way) was too long and uncomfortable, especially if it ended with her death--either today or a few weeks from now. When I cancelled the appointment after I'd done the deed, I found that it would have cost over $100 to have her put down. Over $100!! I'm so glad I didn't know that beforehand. Every life to me is precious and it's not that she wasn't worth it, but I'm glad we had a quiet moment together in the garden rather than a long drive before her end.
The other girls are asking the death question. I can hear them. All my hens have done it, and it isn't learned. It sounds like "Where is she? Is she gone?" Goes on for a few hours to days. I don't have roosters, and when the hens have paired off, the second of the pair usually lets go soon after. Heartbreak? Unity? We'll see if that happens again this time.
Thanks for listening and for any input you might had. If it's negative, though, please be gentle.
