Ending a life peacefully

[roosterhavoc]

Perhaps you could help her out then?

I already did. Sharp knife, hatchet or a .22 bullet. Cervical dislocation can be done in your hands also.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I already did. Sharp knife, hatchet or a .22 bullet. Cervical dislocation can be done in your hands also.

I could never get the cervical dislocation by hand correct. That’s why I use a hatchet as you also have suggested.

 

[roosterhavoc]

https://www.hsa.org.uk/neck-dislocation/manual

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

One of my hens has been sick for a long time and I had been hoping Nature would follow its course. Her belly has been distended for a while and she is now waddling around. But she is still motivated by food and has been eating and drinking.
This morning I finally had a chance to look at her up close as she could not get out of the coop on her own. My coop is 2 feet off the ground and they use ramps to reach the ground. She is a rescue hen and has been always on the wild side, which is why I was trying not to upset her too much.
What I saw this morning was worse than expected. Her belly is so distended that the cloaca is shut up so I suspect she is defecating internally. She also has lice.
I think it's time. I need to do something. I was hoping that someone might give me some ideas as to how to maybe just give her some sleeping pills so she can go to sleep peacefully. Because of the size of her abdomen I think that any conventional forms of dispatching would be painful for her. Plus I really can't do it! I welcome any suggestion that may help. Thank you

I just wanted to offer my support. It does sound like it is time, and it also sounds like finding a hunter friend to help you out might be the best idea. I can understand why you find the idea of ending her life to be difficult. She clearly means a lot to you, and she’s been lucky to live in safety and comfort with you as long as she has.

I have euthanized many pets as part of my job, including my own 16 year old very beloved cat. Even I cringe at the thought of chopping the head off of one of my ducks, even though I know that it would be quick and painless (as long as I didn’t mess it up).

That being said, when we take on animals in any capacity, we also take on the responsibility of not letting them suffer. It hurts, but there is consolation in knowing that you gave them a good life for however long you had together and that you gave them a good end.

There is no shame in reaching out for help. Call a friend or call a vet. See if any processing companies around know anyone that would help with a single bird. Just trust your gut and end her suffering.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

https://www.hsa.org.uk/neck-dislocation/manual

Thanks for posting this! Bookmarked!

 

[casportpony]

Great link @roosterhavoc!
This is how I do mine:
https://www.hsa.org.uk/neck-dislocation/heavy-stick

 

[Willowspirit]

Sleeping pills probably wouldn't work on a bird the same way as a human.
You could see if anywhere near you sells pure ether. Chemical supply places have it. Be VERY careful with it, only use it outdoors, but that's an anesthetic. It used to be used on people for dental things, so we know it's not unpleasant. Put her in an airtight container with an ether-soaked rag, wait for her to fall asleep, and then add more ether and leave the container for awhile. The difficulty is finding the pure stuff that doesn't have harsh additives.

I had to euthanize a tame rat and used this method. It was very peaceful. But ether is not easy to find.

An idea that soothes me about death is that by assisting our animal to the other side we are helping her be reborn into the next existence. It's like being a midwife in a way.

 

[pitbullmomma]

I'm not sure this is humane either.

@pitbullmomma, can you offer some advice?

I would not recommend this, as a former vet, and as a chicken owner.

There are too many variables, and too many unknowns. What drug, what is the lethal dose, is it recommended by the AVMA as an effective and humane mode of euthanasia?
Too much room for bad results. Which is why this is not an approved (or recommended by The Powers That Be) method.

Go with one of the tried and true (and recommended, and humane) methods that the other posters recommended. Cervical dislocation, ether, or go to a vet, if you can afford it (shouldn't cost that much, I'm thinking not more than fifty bucks) and/or are too squeamish to do it yourself.

Having bungled (and subsequently traumatized myself, and my poor sweet chook) the cervical dislocation method on my one attempt, I wholeheartedly vouch for the ether in a container method, found on here. It's by @duluthralphie, I believe. Ether was the original anesthetic drug for humans, and it is quick and peaceful.

Please do not take your chicken out to the woods to die! This is irresponsible and cruel.

Any vet--whether or not they treat exotics, or food animals--will euthanize a suffering animal, whether it be wild, domestic, or whatever. It is well worth the expense, as far as a peaceful death goes.

My 0.02.

 

[MissChick@dee]

For a novice using the broomstick method is for me absolutely a no go. Personally I find that method inhumane. Can you imagine a newbie putting a chickens head under a stick on the ground....standing on the stick and pulling on the chicken till it’s dead?
Too many things could go wrong. People who don’t want to get their hands dirty or don’t want a mess of blood and are not going to eat the chicken choose this method. Even with a broken neck the chicken is still alive. Even with a crushed esophagus the chicken is still alive...they suffocate.
I think using a cone is the most humane way to dispatch a chicken.
I have someone who helps me with my chickens if I need to end their suffering.
Perhaps ask for help. Sometimes you don’t know who’s willing to help until you ask.
Decapitation to me is swift & certain.
I’m sorry for your situation. It’s never easy for anyone.
I hope you find your solution and your hen finds peace.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that learning how to put down a sick or injured chicken is necessary. The methods I have done are using a sharp knife to cut the jugular veins, but an ax to behead, or cervical dislocation are proven methods. It is not a pleasant thing to do, but something we all must be willing to do when having chickens. Many older people who grew up on farms are more experienced with putting them down, but if you cannot do it, ask a hunter friend or take her to a vet.
This video is one that I have found to be a swift and easy method: