Euthanasia advice?

[Cetawin]

You can also soak a rag in ether and place the rag in a bucket with a lid, put bird in the bucket and close the lid. The fall asleep fairly wuickly and the gases overcome them while they sleep.

You can also just hold the rag over the birds beak and mouth...if she is still full of energy she may fight you until she falls asleep.

If you take it to a vet for a lethal injection...I would advise you NOT to watch. Most of them are a cardiac stick, meaning they stick a needle through the chest and into the heart. It can be hard to watch.

I prefer a tree stump, a sharp axe and one swift hit. it really is the fastest method, not hard on the bird and it is over and done with in a second...but it is a hard thing to do.

Good luck in your decision. But do make it quickly and you may want to have the body tested just to make sure it is nothing contagious to your other birds.

 

[ChooksChick]

I've used this method: http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

It works well if you follow the instructions- works poorly if you deviate from the recipe. Get a gallon container and use the correct amounts- don't use aluminum-free baking soda.

I've read several studies done in Australia where they determined this is the quickest method with less to no distress.

It's good for animals up to 2#- that's all I can vouch for. I kept the euthanasia chamber just in case...

I'm so sorry! This is a very hard thing.

 

[meriruka]

Just wanted to add to Cetawin's suggestion above.......
If you choose the ether method, make sure the area you are in is well ventilated but WARM. The colder the air in the room, the more the ether fumes will sink to the bottom of the bucket and the chicken will just simply put her head up high and be standing there dazed but very much alive when you take off the lid. Trust me, the guilt from failing is much worse then the guilt from success.

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Thank you folks.

She's at peace now. I'm a wreck, but at least she's no longer in pain.

I'll be better prepared should I ever have to do it again.

The 12 other girls just got the biggest dishes of yogurt ever!

 

[muell112]

My boyfriend butchered 10 of our cornish crosses a month or so ago. He let them out in the yard, put a cloth over each bird's head in turn and shot them with a .22. There was no holding involved and the birds just stood there unaware so that might be a hands-off way that would work for you. Our friend does it the same way and he has tried it many different ways. Good luck and I'm really sorry.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Read the signature line. He's an "outlaw chicken keeer" in Philadelphia PA. I think gunshots would draw even more attention than clucking or crowing.

I'm glad your hen is at peace now, I pray that you will soon feel peace & comfort knowing you provided that final kindness.

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

Quote:
Thankfully the gunshots aren't as common in my neighborhood as they used to be! If only we could replace all of the gunshots with chicken clucks...

I appreciate your kind words. I am calming down now. I don't want to have to do it again for a long time, but it's good to know I have it in me, when the situation arises. I didn't think I did!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Thinking of you today...I know it's hard. Wishing you wonderful memories of her...