Culling - Is This Humane?

[LisaJean]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and the terriffic info. After reading about the CO2 chamber, I think that is the way we will go next time. It seems to be the least traumatic for both chick and human.

It's important to remember that chickens can be looked at both as cherished pets and as work animals meant to earn their keep through meat or eggs. I love my little chicks, but I also know that spending money on a vet to put one of them down is not necessary. Also, when trying to become self-sufficient, where every penny counts, such an expense is a real issue.

 

[LisaJean]

Quote:
CM, I had a similar reaction to the first "culling" thread I read when I first joined here as a newbie chicken owner.

I was horrified. How could these people be so heartless?

But having been a chicken owner for going on two years, now, I've learned that culling is an unpleasant, but necessary part of owning them. If I raised my own chicks, I would have to cull the males regularly. As it is, I mail-order and get all females, and only have to cull when it's to end suffering.

 

[allmypeeps]

Wow- Chuahuamom really took a beating.

Lets not forget that everyone can share their opinion equally without a riot.

I understand the need to be able to knowledgably cull- hey- I'm a vet assistant I know how expensive vets are. I have 4 cats and 4 dogs!

But I also know not ALL vets are money grubbers and some are willing to take you in and quickly euthanise. It may be hard to find, but th ekey is to locate a vet BEFORE you ever need one.

When I got chickens the FIRST thing I did was look up a vet in my area who would see chickens. BUT I have an AWSOME vet thats 10 minutes away. He is a vet that has a typical clinic but also does livestock housecalls. I only have a few birds and he lets me bring them right into his office and so far has squeezed me in AT NO CHARGE 4 times. I know I am one of the lucky few and not everyone will find a simular vet.

Everyone has a personal preferance. I would prefer to pay a trusted doctor to analyze my birds predicament, and then proceed with quick overdose of sedative, than to culling myself.
HOWEVER, depending on the situation (eagerness of the emergency as well as cost) I would also like to have knowledge of HUMANE methods I could carry out at home.

Living self sufficiently and green does not mean that we should automatically forfiet outside services. With any pet dog/cat otherwise, we should all realize that WE are their providers and care givers and most people would do ANYTHING for their dog/cat, but not so much for a 'chicken' (as most chickens are not as tame faithful of a companion as our dogs/cats.) This is fine.
Then there are those who would have a full fledged operation to save their chicken's life...this is probably me (depending on my attatchment to the chicken and cost of the surgery). I am dirt poor like most, just so you know

Everyone is allowed to feel as they do- however, lets all understand that we humans need to treat everything humanely.
Freezing/drowning...not humane. If its illegal to do it to a puppy or kitten it should be illegal to do it to a chicken.

I think if I ever resorted to euthanizing at home it would be very slowly with a co2 chamber.... I would NOT want my head cut off. whacking on a brick not so much either....

Just my 2 cents!

 

[California Ducken]

Ok my take on this is, How would you want to die?

Fast and quick, so you don't even know what happened
or
Slow and distressed knowing something is happening and being uncomfortable and alone.

Hmmm, problem solved for me.

The shortest distance between two points, is a straight line.

Good Luck.

 

[allmypeeps]

I guess my worry would be if the blade was dull or the blow wasnt quite hard enough.........

 

[Chihuahuamom]

* Be friendly and courteous to all members at all times.

 

[California Ducken]

If you think about it too much you will worry yourself unnecessarily. If the first chop dosnt work panic and chop again until its done. Make sure it has passed and you will feel a sense of relief.
I had to chop my baby snakes head off. My brother came over my house and played with him, and he did not secure the top of the cage well enough and it got out and onto a sticky trap (my mother put out) And when I found him (6 hours later) half of his side was being eaten away by fire ants.HE WAS STILL ALIVE!!! I screamed picked him up (ants biting me) and took him out to the garage and took an ax ( I didnt know it was dull, to panicked to check) and chopped fast and 5 times before it came off. All I know is I had to do it to end his suffering. BEING EATEN ALIVE! I could barely see I was crying so much. But I take comfort in knowing I ended his suffering as quick as I could.

Sorry, I just thought I would share. Now I make sure all my things are sharp!!
Note: Make sure whatever you cull is secure so it wont accidentally fall away if you need to chop again. Sorry for being so frank, but I tell what I feel is necessary to keep it real.

Smiles and Lots of Luck.

 

[California Ducken]

I have ALWAYS taken ALL my animals to a vet for everything. Including euthanasia. I myself have only had to do this to my baby snake, because if I had taken the time to go to a vet 1/2 hour away he would have suffered more being eaten alive.
But, I completely understand where you are coming from and agree.

First option is euthanasia at a vet. But if it's an emergency, you have to do what you have to.

Sorry I didnt mean to upset anyone.

 

[Renee]

I really appreciate the link to the CO2 method!

I have had to kill my share of birds debeaked by run-ins with windows, disemboweled rats and lizards, etc.

I'm no fan of the clippers or the brick method, but have employed both in these emergencies. The CO2 sounds quick and painless.

Then again, if it was my neck, I'd probably choose the clippers.

Of course, if you are going to eat the chicken you don't take it to the vet first.

 

[California Ducken]

In the town in which I live, the cheapest injection is $98.00, because you have to pay for hazardous waste disposal. But I have kept my animals to bury them, and they only take off $15.00.

Very heartbreaking to do any method. It's still your baby.

And yes passing peacefully in your sleep is all that we could hope for ourselves as well as our pets, but sometimes that's not an option.