Culling - Is This Humane?

[mrsengeseth]

I can't imagine hubby culling anything. If the pets need put down, i take them. If something bloody needs tending, i do it. Today was my first actual rocessing a bird for dinner purposes. however, hubby can do the "dirty work" for fishing. I can't. I think it's a experience thing. I have dealt with tending to and caring for animals all my life. Huby wasn't exposed as much as I was.

 

[Beekissed]

My family must be the exception....our men can hunt up a storm, gut a deer(if they have to~usually let the women do this as it grosses the men out), etc. When it comes to killing a pet, livestock, or a nuisance animal~women get the job.

I've never seen a man in our family willingly kill a nonsport animal! Even my own boys were quite reluctant to wring a chicken's neck but seemed intigrued by using the ax....until they actually did it, then it lost its flavor right away!

In my experience, men are wimps about doing the dirty jobs like killing small animals, changing diapers, staunching blood flows.....

I think, for the most part, men don't like doing it any more than women but are too ashamed to admit to being squeamish, whereas women are "allowed" to be ish and wimpy! I guess the men in my family are quite at ease with being turned off by killing kittens and chicks....and even more content with giving the women the "bad" jobs!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I let my husband do the killing/culling when he is here. He is a hunter and has killed lots and lots of things. He says even for him it is emotional to take an animals life but it has to be done at times. I use bullets and the axe method when killing animals.


I do not like the jar method! That doesn't sound painless. I say whack in the head, chopping head off with a hatchet or axe, bullet, or sharp scissors. Those are quick and painless IMO.

 

[briteday]

Same here. If something ugly needs to be done it's always me that does it...taking a pet to the vet to be euth'd, culling a chick, ...

My preferred methods for small animals are vinegar and baking soda chamber or ether. Ether is quicker, IMO. But they say baking soda and vinegar is less stressful for the animal.

 

[estpr13]

Quote:
Less Prolactin, a hormone needed for crying. (and other things)

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The next time I have to cull a chick I'm going to use the kitchen scissors I use for quartering chickens. I broke the neck of the last one that needed culling, holding the head between 2 fingers & pulling on the legs with the other hand. I know it died instantly, but it was too pathetic watching its reflexive spasms afterwards.

So next time I'm going to use the scissors, so I knowknowknow it's reallyreally dead right away. But I'd wrap the chick in a paper towel, leaving only the neck exposed, so it wouldn't be so heartbreaking to see.

 

[greathorse]

I grew up in my father's butcher shop and have slaughtered literally thousands of animals in my life. My father was incapable of putting down a sick or injured animal even though his occupation was that of a butcher. My older brothers did this when neceessary.

I hate culling chicks but find it necessary from time to time. I have the least self trauma if I put on a pair of leather gloves (less sensitivity for me) put the chick in a plastic bag and grab the body and the head from outside the back and do a quick jerk. All thatis left remains is in the bag, I dont have to see it and it can easily be disposed of.

Not recommending it as the perfect method but it is what I am able to do. I don't quite get the chambers and all of that. Seems a bit slow and scary to me.

It is an awful task no matter how you do it.

 

[allmypeeps]

My husband and I thought breifly about raising our own meat birds. (BREIFLY!) Niether one of us has the guts to kill anything!

oh, and food for thought...

I have heard many sources report that the human head remains conscious for 8-13 seconds after being chopped off! (guillatined) the head can supposedly blink as directed in answer to a question......)

I personally would choose euthanasia, it is an overdose of anesthesia...they will literally go to sleep in a split second. I doubt a vet will charge much to simply 'sedate' a chick to death.

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[BigSkyChickens]

What a fascinating thread... I love all the cultural and gender ideas being brought up. I am new to chickens. I totally adore my sweet girls, but I want to be a responsible farmer-woman. I hope to deal with these difficult situations in the best manner possible and be a good steward to my flock. Thanks, everyone for sharing.

 

[Jenski]

Just the fact that this issue is being thoughtfully discussed gives me hope for humanity. Thanks to all of you for sharing your opinions here. Every single one is valid and well-thought-out.

Ending an animal's life is the crummiest thing we will do as animal caregivers, and sometimes the finest gift we can give to our animal friends when they are suffering. Thanks to the OP for sharing her experience, and sorry for your loss. Kudos to you and hubby for taking responsibility for your friend.