Culling Advice Please!

[ANiceKaren]

This is a post I never wanted to write but I really need some advice. My girl has been off and on sick for about 8 months now with what I’m convinced is internal laying…I think it’s time to let her go I cannot find a vet that will help me so I fear I’m faced to do this myself… well my husband will be doing it. As far as culling a chicken neither of us have done this or anything like it.. the one method I can somewhat process is cervical dislocation.. can someone please send me some advice on this… technique.. success.. is this a good method? Also, has anyone ever given their chickens a sleeping pill prior to relax them? **this girl is our pet..we love her very dearly and it’s extremely difficult for me so please keep that in mind in your replies…

 

[swampfox440]

Sorry you have to do this but I am sure your husband will have the courage to do what's best . I use the dislocation, I have never given any pills beforehand . Good luck perhaps someone else can help you on that .

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry, it's hard to loose a pet.
I've never heard of cervical dislocation and I just looked it up, that could work but I'd be hesitant to try it when I've never done it before.
Do you know anyone willing to dispatch with a hatchet? I know that's a hard way to see your pet go BUT it is the quick, humane, painless and can't be messed up.

 

[ANiceKaren]

Sorry you have to do this but I am sure your husband will have the courage to do what's best . I use the dislocation, I have never given any pills beforehand . Good luck perhaps someone else can help you on that .

My husband is confident for sure and I’ll find some technique videos for him prior. He is a pretty strong guy so I assume he can handle. Can I ask you… is it quick? Painless for them?

 

[ANiceKaren]

I'm sorry, it's hard to loose a pet.
I've never heard of cervical dislocation and I just looked it up, that could work but I'd be hesitant to try it when I've never done it before.
Do you know anyone willing to dispatch with a hatchet? I know that's a hard way to see your pet go BUT it is the quick, humane, painless and can't be messed up.

T

I'm sorry, it's hard to loose a pet.
I've never heard of cervical dislocation and I just looked it up, that could work but I'd be hesitant to try it when I've never done it before.
Do you know anyone willing to dispatch with a hatchet? I know that's a hard way to see your pet go BUT it is the quick, humane, painless and can't be messed up.

This was actually the method my husband wanted to use but I kind of have a hard time with this one… the set up.. her being afraid prior… I figure it would be stressful for her? Maybe a sleeping pill to calm her then this method? This was my husband’s initial plan…I have 8 chickens so I know I have to be okay with this eventually… it’s just heartbreaking! This is my first one…

 

[nuthatched]

T

This was actually the method my husband wanted to use but I kind of have a hard time with this one… the set up.. her being afraid prior… I figure it would be stressful for her? Maybe a sleeping pill to calm her then this method? This was my husband’s initial plan…I have 8 chickens so I know I have to be okay with this eventually… it’s just heartbreaking! This is my first one…

The first one is the hardest, we used a .22 when I had to put down half my flock to a dog attack, it's not pleasant to put down your own pets, but it is sometime necessary.
A sleeping pill would probably kill her, which might not be a bad thing. I don't think one method will be anymore stressful than the other, both will cause some balking. She'll probably be a bit afraid with either method, but it will be brief. "Never bleed for the patient, just get it done."

 

[ChickenWhisperer101]

We had to cull our flock of 12 chickens a few months ago and it was heartbreaking. It never gets easy, but they were all sick and it had to be done. I can’t really help you though because I wasn’t there for it.
Best wishes
-ChickenWhisperer101

 

[ShiviBear]

After a few heartbreaking mishaps with beheading my sweet hens after they got sick, I finally gathered up the courage to try the broomstick method. There is a video in the thread I'm linking below (you have to scroll a few posts down, it's an age restricted youtube video) which helped me tremendously.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/broomstick-method-tips.1248944/#post-20037468
It was incredibly hard the first time, emotionally speaking, as I was afraid of doing something wrong but it ended up being quite peaceful (at least compared to using a hatchet).
It's still just as sad everytime I make the decision to cull, but it IS the most humane and its not as hard (technically speaking) as it seems....my best advice would be to follow through and not hesitate.
Please take some comfort in knowing that you did all you could for your sweet girl. I am sorry you have to make such a hard decision.

 

[room onthebroom]

Trying to get a sleeping pill down her might stress her out. She also might choke to death on it. There are a few good articles on building a sort of gas chamber. (Give me a minute to see if I can find them.)

The idea is that the gas makes them sleepy & they pass in their sleep. Birds are pretty good sleepers at night. In theory you could take her out of the coop at night when she’s already sleepy & put her in the gas chamber.

 

[Fluffy_Feathers]

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I went through something similar early this year; it's not an easy decision, but it's a kind one.

This was my first time as well, and I also used cervical dislocation. As a rookie, I did it first try with no problems. What helped me get the technique down was I watched a LOT of videos on YouTube. I used the broomstick method.

There will be a lot of flapping, and other strange movements. Watching videos helped me get used to all that, though I didn't have much of a problem with the imagery in the first place. Watching videos familiarizes yourself to the process, and helps you know what movements are normal.

With the broomstick, there is some discomfort. Having a broomstick on your neck isn't the most fun thing, however, I don't think it's painful. If you were to use a broomstick, to minimize discomfort and stress you (or your husband in this case) should commence the process as soon as you put your feet down on the broomstick.

Another thing I should add is when your husband pulls, he should do it quick and with a snap. When I did it, I was in a lot of emotional distress and my mind wasn't exactly present, so I didn't really snap I don't think, I just pulled until I felt a pop. It did the deed and she didn't suffer, but I could've done it better. I feel as though this advice goes for both the broomstick and if he was doing it completely by hand.

Another thing I struggled with was second guessing myself after the fact. For a few days I just kept thinking "was she dead? Did I think she was dead but she wasn't? Was she suffering? Did I bury her alive with a broken neck?" After I killed her I checked a few things to ensure she was dead:

1. Her neck was limp, there was no bone between her head and the spine. They were disconnected. All that was there was flesh and skin.
2. I checked her eye for any reaction. If I remember correctly, right after the pull and the chicken is flapping, the pupils go haywire. But when it calms down her eyes shouldn't have any sensitivity to light, nor should her 3rd eyelid move when you touch her eye.
3. A couple minutes after the pull, you can feel blood pooling in her neck.

She was dead, and because I checked these I was able to stop second guessing myself. This advice i think also goes for CD by hand.

I hope all goes well. Just remember that you are being a compassionate and responsible chicken owner. Your chicken has lived a good life and appreciates all you've done for her.