Ending a life peacefully

[pitbullmomma]

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.

Ether is starting fluid. Can be found at any auto parts store. Even Walmart.

I believe there are different concentrations, I would just go with the highest concentration, and make sure there are no additives in it, just ether.

 

[Eggcessive]

Be careful with the ether if you chose that method of engine starter fluid. I used to work in a pharmacy many years ago where ether was used to prepare a certain compound for prescriptions, and it can be really flammable and cause side effects if inhaled. I believe most use it outdoors on a towel or rag with the chicken in a closed small container. Ether was an anesthetic used for surgery decades ago prior to 1970, and headaches can be common if you breathe it.

 

[Fishkeeper]

I've always wondered about whether decapitation is actually as instant as people put it out to be. When they used to cut off people's heads with a guillotine, it was observed multiple times that people could continue to blink, and in some cases would appear to be trying to speak, for several seconds after decapitation. The brain doesn't lose all oxygen immediately. I don't see why it would be any different for a bird.

The only things I've had to put out of their misery are lizards that the cat got ahold of. For something that small that you aren't attached to, it's easy. You just put them under a paper towel so they're calm, put them on a sidewalk, and crush the skull with a brick. If you bring the flat side of the brick down as hard as you can on the head, the skull is crushed instantly, which means the brain is destroyed instantly.

For any animal, the fastest way to kill it is to destroy the brain. If you don't have a way to do that, anesthetics can also work. I've used clove oil on fish, and it works, but it won't work that way on chickens.

I know when I start hatching, I'll make sure to have pure ether on hand. After reading about its usage in humans, it looks like the only unpleasantness is maybe some loopiness while it takes effect, and potential side effects afterward. Plus, it's so much... softer. A lot easier for a newbie to do without messing it up, and without blood or damage or other such upsetting things.

 

[casportpony]

I just looked up the ingredients in a starting fluid sold at AutoZone.

And this is the Wal-Mart brand:

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Look up the broomstick method on YouTube if done correctly its quite easy and painless I'm able to do it by myself without help and it's quite easy. I use it for our meat rabbits and chickens I need to do by myself.

Rabbits? I would think their necks are too big.

 

[Fishkeeper]

I probably wouldn't use starter fluid unless there were no other options. I'm sure the fumes would burn.

To get pure ether, you want to search "reagent grade" online. That's what chemists use. It looks like you can get 500ml for $20 or so, and it's not going to take much for one bird.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I wish I could find it but I can’t. There is a YouTube video of a woman who wraps them in her apron (restraint)
And she strokes them talks to them and she waits for the chickens to relax. She cuts the jugular (drains in a bucket between her legs) then she decapitates them. She holds the chicken wrapped in her apron between her knees until all the death spasms stop.
I have decided that this will be my solution should my current situation change.
This I could see myself doing.
The difference in people now is that their chickens are pets. Which means emotionally we’re connected.
It’s not like we walk out into the backyard and harvest our dinner.
I can remember my grandmother having me tag along and help/learn to do chores. She picked up a chicken and rung it’s neck. Tucked it under her arm and then continued on with chores. We had fried chicken for dinner. Honestly I didn’t think much of it. It was what it was.
Backyard chickens may be a Fad for some. Realizing the full scope of responsibility might make some a one time chicken keeper.
There are many challenges.

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens have been raised for thousands of years for food. Why is that in 2019 all of a sudden people cant manage to cull/kill/euthanize a bird. Something is seriously wrong.

As have many other aspects of life, chicken keeping has changed. While I primarily raise chickens for eggs and meat, I don’t think it’s “wrong” that people keep them as pets. To each his own. Having said that, whether we keep them as pets or livestock, it is our responsibility to put them out of their misery in the fastest, most humane way possible if they are suffering.

@Molnut - if you are not able to put your chicken down by means of cervical dislocation or decapitation, please take her to a vet and have her put down. It’s the kindest thing you can do.

 

[bobbi-j]

I've always wondered about whether decapitation is actually as instant as people put it out to be. When they used to cut off people's heads with a guillotine, it was observed multiple times that people could continue to blink, and in some cases would appear to be trying to speak, for several seconds after decapitation. The brain doesn't lose all oxygen immediately. I don't see why it would be any different for a bird.

The only things I've had to put out of their misery are lizards that the cat got ahold of. For something that small that you aren't attached to, it's easy. You just put them under a paper towel so they're calm, put them on a sidewalk, and crush the skull with a brick. If you bring the flat side of the brick down as hard as you can on the head, the skull is crushed instantly, which means the brain is destroyed instantly.

For any animal, the fastest way to kill it is to destroy the brain. If you don't have a way to do that, anesthetics can also work. I've used clove oil on fish, and it works, but it won't work that way on chickens.

I know when I start hatching, I'll make sure to have pure ether on hand. After reading about its usage in humans, it looks like the only unpleasantness is maybe some loopiness while it takes effect, and potential side effects afterward. Plus, it's so much... softer. A lot easier for a newbie to do without messing it up, and without blood or damage or other such upsetting things.

We decapitate our chickens. We’ve done it that way for decades. I have yet to see blinking eyes or attempts to breathe. My guess on the human side is those may just be nerves firing as they die. Hard to say, since the guillotine is no longer an n use.

 

[roosterhavoc]

As have many other aspects of life, chicken keeping has changed. While I primarily raise chickens for eggs and meat, I don’t think it’s “wrong” that people keep them as pets. To each his own. Having said that, whether we keep them as pets or livestock, it is our responsibility to put them out of their misery in the fastest, most humane way possible if they are suffering.

@Molnut - if you are not able to put your chicken down by means of cervical dislocation or decapitation, please take her to a vet and have her put down. It’s the kindest thing you can do.

I don’t care if people keep chickens as pets, put diapers on them and let them sleep in bed with them. None of that bothers me one bit. Chickens are still livestock regardless of how they’re kept.
If a chicken is beyond help put them down the best way you can but do it quickly instead of hoping they’ll die without actually having to get your hands dirty. That’s just sorry.