Culling, that is the question....

[ZKeeper04]

How did you get over the first time culling some of your chickens?
I dont have a problem with culling (esp when I cant find a new home for a roo) but I just dont know how to build up the courage to
actually do the deed myself. Any tips (for lack of better phrasing)...

 

[Pinky]

It always help if the rooster is not being nice(to the other birds/hens and you/people).
If you're going to eat the bird, think of the fresh non-store bought meat you will enjoy. It is hard the first time. But when you have to do it more than once, it only gets easier,(or at least it did for me).

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

no hope from me, I refuse to do so. I'm a strong believer in giving away what I don't want. Craigslist, when the flag happy haters don't flag you is a good option for giving them away.

 

[Nostalchic]

If you "rehome" an unwanted bird, the bird must suffer the stress of being removed from its family/flock, introduced to a new and probably hostile bunch - at least initially - and standards of care which may not be what YOU provide (or, who knows, could be better, but are you going to do a site visit first? Not usually, we're just happy to be rid of the "problem") and they endure a lot of stress just in the transport, etc. If it's a mean rooster, someone is going to either kill it or punish it for that behavior - and I've heard of some hideous "punishments". So I think it's so much kinder to quickly dispatch the bird, and I will say that the anticipation/apprehension is MUCH worse than the actual deed, especially if you have prepared a good sharp axe or whatever. It also puts you in touch with the life-death-kill-eat thing, which really should be part of our whole conceptual understanding of living on this earth. If you are going to have chickens, you have to come to terms with it eventually. It'll be ok, really. Good luck.
PS: this all sounds pretty lofty; it DOES help if the first time is after being viciously attacked by the "cullee", if he drew blood - even better! - because it strengthens the resolve immensely, and drives one to immediate and decisive action!

 

[ZKeeper04]

i have not had any luck with craigslist in giving away my roos

i also see a crazy amount of spam and flaggers on there in my area as well!

Ill get in a mode where ill say "I can do this, its apart of life" lol and then get to that point and then freeze. I think im possibly afraid of missing and then having to go chase after it and do it all over again. but i bet you're right, it will most likely get easier after that first swing.

 

[Nostalchic]

ZKeeper, it'll be ok. Prepare a good solid surface - like a big hard stump - and get a VERY sharp hatchet. Get the bird and hold it under your arm, it will calm quite quickly. Lay his head on the stump (you can put a couple of spikes into the stump to kind of hold his head - I don't do this, but I've seen it done that way) and then CHOP! It's amazingly quick - he will feel no pain, and you will feel like it wasn't that big of a deal when it's all over. I've tried other methods, but this is the quickest and the best way to start, I think.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
x 2

Maybe you can find someone local who can help you with the first time or two?

 

[WallTenters]

I always thank them for their life, pet them, then whack. Honestly, the flapping was the worst part the first time I did it by hand and with no killing cones or anything. I didn't expect them to flap so hard and one of the wings slipped out of my hand. I think for a first time, it's definitely best to do this with a partner so one can hold the bird and the other do the deed.

It's okay, it's a quick death and you've given him a good life to this point.

 

[Higins00]

I'm the same way. I get myself all ready to do it, made a killing cone got a new hatchet, went out to the stump, laid him down, held up the ax and darn it , couldn't bring it down. Its terrible. Seems so easy one two three and it's done but they look in your eye or make a peep and I can't do it. I feel your pain.

 

[moetrout]

I tend to think of this like I do hunting. Either you have the killer instinct or you don't. When I shot my first deer and older guy I know and really respect asked me if at any point during the hunt did I think about not pulling the trigger. Flat out no was the answer, but I had not really thought about it until he asked. People that back out of pulling the trigger or at the least think about it usually don't hunt or don't hunt for long.

So either you have it or you don't. Only you know if you do. If you don't you are no less for it. Some were born to hunt and others born to gather.