Emotional support needed to kill mean rooster

[sealer39]

Just for the record, I did not intend to imply that a .22 will ricochet off a chickens head. It’s what that little bullet hits after it leaves the chicken that can cause a problem. I did not intend to start a gun debate on a thread talking about out to process the ops first rooster. I just don’t think a .22 is the right tool for the job if your going to be processing meat birds.

 

[Folly's place]

Actually my comments were not about meat birds, but humane euthanasia for other reasons.
Mary

 

[greenlydia]

I raise chickens because I like them. I find them highly amusing and very interesting. When raised from chicks and handled daily, some will become quite affectionate.....well, as affectionate as chickens CAN be. Their beautiful big, brown eggs are simply a bonus. I don't kill mine...….not because I'm against it, but because I know myself well enough to know I simply could not do it. To get back on topic, I ended up once with an exceptionally mean rooster. He was huge with spurs to match. He would frequently use them like he was auditioning for a role in "Psycho!" I still carry many scars from that XXX roo. The day he went after my 4 year old grandson was his last. Fortunately, my grandson avoided being attacked and to this day I can't even think about what may have happened. After everyone went home, I got the 22 rifle, went out in the yard, took aim and ended that rooster reign of terror. First animal I have EVER killed and hopefully it will be the last, as it made me rather sick, but you simply can not have a rooster that aggressive. I should have shot him the first time he attacked me. I have another rooster now. He does his "guarding" job very well, but somehow I think he knows people are off limits.....Since I obviously can not stay on topic...…...find out if there is anyone else in your community who raises birds for meat and ask if they would be willing to teach you the ropes. And if it turns out you just can't handle it, then so be it. Go to Plan B.

 

[Folly's place]

Also off topic, but many of us have had 'first roosters' who were monsters, and we put up with them way too long. We did too, and we learned, never again! Nice roosters are so worth having, not the other kind.
Mary

 

[Grenadianexpat]

I try to catch the intended victim by skulduggery, feed to attract them, try and catch them in the coup so they can't escape, and finally if all else fails a .22 air rifle with hollow points to make the maximum impact, taking the head. Yes chickens are a hard quarry as they move in a jerky unpredictable way, but if you are an accurate shot, and you can be patient to wait for that one still moment whammo over goes bird, flap flap and done. If caught, then its the body under a bucket, and a cutlass---- machete to part the head from the body. I still do not clean the birds, I cannot face the various smells and messes. I find no pleasure in the killing, but when roosters become a large part of the flock make up, and they are making lots of noise and roughing up the hens when they start to crow they gotta go I'm afraid.

I remember it took me several hours to dispatch my first one, with lots of pre killing whimping, followed by bucket loads of post killing guilt. Now if I get the order to kill a chicken I grab the rifle and it's him or me... Even if we play hunt the chicken as they seem to know their number is up it normally maxes out at 10 minutes.

 

[Dippydiane1055]

Should you eat a chicken if it does inexpertly? Or just bury it? I don't if it would be wise or not since don't know why or how it died. Don't want to waste but scared not knowing what or how it died.

 

[bobbi-j]

There is no humane way to kill an animal. He isn't being mean, he is probably just being a good rooster and trying to protect his hens. Why not bring him to your local animal shelter?

Actually, there are humane ways to kill an animal. They're just not pretty. We use the hatchet and stump method here. (And by "we", I mean DH. I have yet to kill a chicken. I'd most likely use a cone and sharp knife, because I'm not terribly coordinated.) When we decapitate them, it's over in seconds. I grab the bird, hand it to DH, bird is dead in seconds. Quick and painless = humane.

He was not being a "good rooster". A good rooster is smart enough to know the difference between a predator, and the human who brings food and other good things. If a rooster is stalking me, he's not watching out for real threats.

What do you think would happen to a human aggressive rooster at a shelter? They can't adopt them out if they're a danger to people. At least I'd hope they wouldn't.

I know, I know. Surgeries in both shoulders, a torn tendon in one leg, fibromyalgia and a special-needs grandson. I'm such a wimp. I can't swing an axe anymore or even throw a football or swing a hammer worth.... worth .. well, chicken poop! But, hey, baby, I bake a MEAN cookie!

You've got a lot going on! Taking them to be processed sounds like the right solution for you!

There was a entrance and exit wound. I honestly don't know why I was so worried! It's absolutely not that bad at all. My husband and I are seriously considering raising meat birds now

For me, once they're dead, it's not bad at all.

Should you eat a chicken if it does inexpertly? Or just bury it? I don't if it would be wise or not since don't know why or how it died. Don't want to waste but scared not knowing what or how it died.

I would not eat a chicken that we didn't kill ourselves. If I don't know why or how it died, (or how long it had been dead), I don't eat it.

 

[Jrzebra]

I had to euthanize many of my own pet chickens this year b/c of a contagious virus. Breaks my heart, esp the very young ones. It never got ez for me. I found the best way for me (& them) was to wrap them in a towel or cloth 1st, lay head on hard surface & whack with a heavy, thick piece of wood. They were tame pets, so this way I could talk to them & keep them calm & comfortable. One hard whack, they never see it coming. The muscle spasms afterwards, from the nervous system shutting down freaked me out at 1st, but now I know to expect it. Thought I might be able to butcher some for food in the future (b4 this experience), but after this year, I know I'm too much of a softee. I'm just glad I was able to do what was needed to end their suffering.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry!
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I had to euthanize many of my own pet chickens this year b/c of a contagious virus. Breaks my heart, esp the very young ones. It never got ez for me. I found the best way for me (& them) was to wrap them in a towel or cloth 1st, lay head on hard surface & whack with a heavy, thick piece of wood. They were tame pets, so this way I could talk to them & keep them calm & comfortable. One hard whack, they never see it coming. The muscle spasms afterwards, from the nervous system shutting down freaked me out at 1st, but now I know to expect it. Thought I might be able to butcher some for food in the future (b4 this experience), but after this year, I know I'm too much of a softee. I'm just glad I was able to do what was needed to end their suffering.

You're a courageous and caring owner. This is the hard part of animal care. Bless you.