Euthanasia by Dry Ice

[Chickassan]

You did fine, helium is a fine choice and ether will do in a pinch as well. Not a neck cracker either so Iv'e learned a few options.

 

[Simon99]

Indeed, a hard thing to do, and one I fear I must face soon. We've taken three chickens to the vet for euthanasia in the last three years, and while that let us believe it was done gently, it was expensive. After extensive research, I found this, real, academic, peer reviewed, information.

https://research.illinois.edu/files/upload/co2-euthanasia-of-swine-and-poultry.pdf

While it's clear that CO2 might not be the right choice for every type of animal, with just a little care to ensure they're exposed to high concentrations quickly (and from the sound of OP's description of the swiftness of effect, that seems assured in that case) it seems far more assuredly gentle than the other techniques one might try at home.

Remember, euthanasia isn't a fancy euphemism for "killing", it's specifically supposed to involve the painless loss of consciousness prior to death. It's evident that CO2 is anesthetic for chickens.

 

[sgrannylove63]

Some rather judging people on this forum… I did the best I could, with the best tools that I thought, and did my homework ahead of time. Sorry you don't like my approach, but death isn't pretty no matter what.

This is an unpleasant thing that many of us have experienced. I know reading unpleasant responses can be hurtful but please realize that while your pet passed in a seemingly peaceful way others that aren't aware of just how important to have the right information may find it helpful. I was glad that you were able to hold your friend as she passed.

 

[Mountainma]

So sorry for your loss. I just had to put down a chicken due to Mereks paralysis recently. I also went to Dry Ice route, and didn't even hold her down ~ just made a comfy nest and stayed and watched to be sure she didn't accidentally tough the dry ice. No struggle at all, except she surprised herself a couple times with being drowsy before finally letting herself fall asleep. I used the syringe we had been using to try to get her to drink water to dribble a bit of water onto the dry ice block every few minutes, so the CO2 level went up gradually (see below). I also left her for 10 more minutes after she appeared to stop breathing to be sure. Last thing I wanted to do was to take her out early and have her come back to consciousness with in pain or buried ~ yuck.

I tried to psych myself up for the cervical dislocation, but couldn't get myself to do it. Like you, I was worried about messing it up and causing her more pain and fear. She didn't seem afraid or distressed in any way, didn't peck at the bin or try to flap or stand up. It was totally fine.


"Of those methods for euthanasia approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 1, the only method that could be used safely at home involves the use of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is heavier than air and nearly odorless. In low concentrations (7.5%) it is an analgesic (pain reliever), and at medium concentrations (30%-40%) it can be used as an anesthetic, causing rapid loss of consciousness without struggling, distress, or excitation. 3 At high concentrations (>80%) CO2 causes quick death. High concentrations, however, painfully irritate eyes and the respiratory tract, so it is important to first induce an analgesic effect, then bring about deep anesthesia (within 1 to 2 minutes) before exposing the animal to high concentrations." http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/index.html

As a Biology major and Medical Scientist, I researched the most human way, and short of phenobarbital, CO2 was the most humane. There is some research that rats will leave a high CO2 area and prefer not to stay, but 1) they aren't birds and 2) that doesn't mean they were suffering, 3) a sudden high CO2 environment is irritating, while slowly increasing CO2 is analgesic (see above). Not sure where the folks above are getting their "facts," would love some reputable sited sources. Hope it didn't scare you away from this site Folks here second guessing and saying we should have done it their way can have their opinion, but personally I think they should have done it the way I chose...

Hello…. I am currently trying to decide how to help my beautiful favorite hen to the rainbow bridge… she is very sick with mereks and can no longer move… she is suffering. May I ask how you felt with the mereks with the rest of your flock? Would you be willing to contact me?
I would love to ask some questions.
Thank you,
Kathryn

 

[Mrs. K]

I am pretty realistic, but I find the negative comments rather in poor taste. The bird was sick, the owner responsibly gave the coop de grace. She successfully dispatched the bird pretty quickly, and the bird died not panicked or highly stressed.

Each of us has to come to this in ways that we can do so. No one needs guilt heaped on them. That is not what this forum is about.

If you want to post your own post and start a discussion on the ways and means, your objections and opinions on what is best, do so. But to jump on someone who just did the best they could really misses the point of encouraging us all to be better chicken keepers.

Mrs K

 

[Tib]

I am pretty realistic, but I find the negative comments rather in poor taste. The bird was sick, the owner responsibly gave the coop de grace. She successfully dispatched the bird pretty quickly, and the bird died not panicked or highly stressed.

Each of us has to come to this in ways that we can do so. No one needs guilt heaped on them. That is not what this forum is about.

If you want to post your own post and start a discussion on the ways and means, your objections and opinions on what is best, do so. But to jump on someone who just did the best they could really misses the point of encouraging us all to be better chicken keepers.

Mrs K

GREAT response Mrs. K, and yes this was a very old thread but someone like me clicked it and read through it thinking similar to what you posted.

While some topics can and should have healthy debate, I think it's best to leave blunt objections of the methods used to a different discussion in the event someone is looking for a method to euthanize. I'm perfectly fine with the approach applied no matter what it is when someone has to make that decision, as long as the intent was not to be cruel.

I feel this thread was to provide the person who just suffered a loss looking for an outlet of those emotions and the last thing someone wants or needs at this time is chastising. Its not the best way to get the message across for others.

I've lost family, pets, and livestock and had to bear those decisions to proceed in all cases and it's painful and often we're filled with guilt trying to cope. Sometimes people only have an online community to help process their grief.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree. The OP came here looking for solace and support, and to share a method they felt was kind and humane - not criticism. The two posts immediately following were unkind and insensitive. I hope we can do better.