Can BB gun kill chickens and...?

[bobbi-j]

If you do decide to get a .22 or any other sort of firearm, PLEASE take a firearms safety course before you do! Even if you *only* plan on using a .22. They're just as deadly if mishandled as a "big" gun. The axe is the best thing for your chickens. For the occasional wounded cat on the road, a good, strong rap to the head with the axe handle would do the job and be just as humane, I think. I don't think I could do it myself (I'm more likely to want to fix the poor thing, which isn't always in the best interest of the animal), but that's what I keep DH around for!

 

[Buff-Island-Australorp]

I have an old pellet gun that I can guarantee will kill a chicken, but the only issue I see with using a pellet gun or even a 22 rifle is that you have to be a good aim for a clean, humane killing.
You owe it to the creature to humanely handle the situation, without any type of sufferning.
I have seen videos on youtube of humane ways to kill chickens, and standing back 10 or so feet and trying to aim the gun with a single projectile firearm is not one of them.
Someone mentioned a shotgun....now that will speed up the process and a leave a little more room for error, but cutting the chickens main artery in the neck is the best way I've seen it done.
Good luck.

 

[Ole rooster]

The post above mentioned that with so little experience with a gun, use an ax. But be careful with the ax. If you don't have total control of the chicken you could miss the neck and lop off a finger. It will cut it as clean as the chickens neck. I think I might even try a hatchet. A little more control.

 

[Alexander]

Axes are the mostt humane way to kill chickens and poultry.

No pain.Flapping wings is just a neurological reaction.


I have to admit though that I cant kill a chicken that is looking at me in a face to face distance so I shoot them.

 

[janinepeters]

I started this thread months ago and had no idea that replies were ongoing! Having noticed the most recent reply, I thought I'd tell what we actually decided on. I never thought I could do it, but we chop the head off. My husband and I do it together, one of us holds the chicken and the other uses a big, sharp cleaver. It is messy but instantaneous, and the bird has no idea what's coming.

It is such a relief to be able to do this. It was always agonizing for me to watch a chicken suffer when death is inevitable. Now I know that when it needs to be done, we can do it, and we can do it as humanely as possible.

 

[janinepeters]

Although I still don't know what I am going to do about the next maimed stray that wanders into our yard, as I discussed in my initial post. Calling animal control and the police was a horrifying experience, and hope to never have to do it again. There is where I wish I had a gun.

 

[ChickenLord]

My plan is to hang them from a taught line (like a clothes line) and lop their head off with something like old fashioned hedge shears (giant scissors) or cut the throat with a very sharp knife. Since I'm an Army Vet and I hunt for other meat, I am already used to doing the deed, although I do always offer a little prayer of thanks afterwards. It really eases my guilt at taking a life.

Good luck, and it gets easier each time.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
This can be prevented by putting two nails in a stump, put the head on one side of the nails, pull on the body and gently stretch the neck. Your fingers don't have to be anywhere near the axe (or hatchet). DH and I use this method. I hold the bird, he uses the axe.

OP, glad you found a solution. I was serious when I mentioned the other end of the axe handle to put down the maimed strays. It really is humane. Just hard to do.

 

[jimmythechicken]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Beeman-Sportsmans-SS-1000H-Air-Rifle/708439.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dair%2Briffles%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D16%26y%3D14&Ntt=air+riffles&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
this is a link to a great air rifle that will do a great job for what you want it is a very good idea to take a gun safty corse before using any gun.hope this helps

 

[Mattemma]

Maybe it could,but I found a cheap hand axe from harbor freight for $5 worked perfectly at taking off the head in one chop.

I did 2 nails on a board and put a sock over the head.The chicken's head just flopped to the side like it was already dead(head cover?)It never moved on the board.