Euthanasia questions

[chickencheeper]

hello, it appears that we will sadly be having to cull one of our hens. It started with prolapsed vent and has evolved to a terrible QOL for her and recovery does not appear to be viable anymore so we have made the decision to euthanize her. What are the most humane methods that dont involve blood(to reduce trauma for us and we have a puppy that will eat anything that looks good, probably including chicken blood). Ive read a little about the broomstick method. Im leaning towards it at this time. What tips do you have from your personal experience?

 

[Pyxis]

I'm sorry that you're having to put your hen down. I've used the broomstick method before. It snaps their neck internally and they pass very quickly.

However, I wanted to make sure I pulled hard enough to snap her neck, not just injure her, so I pulled very hard - and her entire head came off. So be prepared that that could happen.

Another method you could try is the ether method. You put them in a small enclosed space, like a storage tub, cover them over with a towel, and then spray a bunch of ether in there onto the towel (the towel just keeps the bird protected from being sprayed and getting wet and cold), and seal it up. The bird will be knocked unconscious by the ether, and then pass away in their sleep.

Ether used to be used by veterinarians as an anesthetic, and it is very humane. You can buy ether in the form of starting fluid. Just make sure to read the bottle you buy and make sure it has a high concentration of ether, if you go this route.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry you face this.

Broom stick was hard for me to get right.. though I am sure that is true for many methods. Come to think of it, my first cone didn't go perfectly. I have only become more skilled at it through practice because we eat our extra cockerels as one way of hatching responsibly. It's a skill I now value having for times when I face needing to help out one of my hens since illness or accidents do happen.

See if these link helps at all...
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-humanely-euthanize-chicken-by-dr/

http://www.poultryindustrycouncil.c...delines-for-On-Farm-Euthanasia-of-Poultry.pdf

I think the ether or co2 or even CO might be a good choice for you.

 

[chickencheeper]

I'm sorry that you're having to put your hen down. I've used the broomstick method before. It snaps their neck internally and they pass very quickly.

However, I wanted to make sure I pulled hard enough to snap her neck, not just injure her, so I pulled very hard - and her entire head came off. So be prepared that that could happen.

Another method you could try is the ether method. You put them in a small enclosed space, like a storage tub, cover them over with a towel, and then spray a bunch of ether in there onto the towel (the towel just keeps the bird protected from being sprayed and getting wet and cold), and seal it up. The bird will be knocked unconscious by the ether, and then pass away in their sleep.

Ether used to be used by veterinarians as an anesthetic, and it is very humane. You can buy ether in the form of starting fluid. Just make sure to read the bottle you buy and make sure it has a high concentration of ether, if you go this route.

Thanks, I’ll probably go this route.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I would also advocate for broomsticking. I'm sorry you have to go through with that. :T

 

[Helloworld]

Here is the easiest. Hang them upside down for a minute or two so they can relax. I have an old traffic cone nailed upside down on fence that we cut top off so head fits thru and u take a very sharp knive and cut just behind the ear where the juggler artery happens to sit. No pain because being upside down causes blood to rush to head and puts them in a “twilight” sleep. It takes 1-2 minutes for blood to drain. Don’t forget to dig a hole under chicken to catch blood and then bury blood. Then find her the bestest place ever and make her a portal to heaven. Its a hard thing and I am so sorry you are feeling this pain.

 

[Helloworld]

Sorry you face this.

Broom stick was hard for me to get right.. though I am sure that is true for many methods. Come to think of it, my first cone didn't go perfectly. I have only become more skilled at it through practice because we eat our extra cockerels as one way of hatching responsibly. It's a skill I now value having for times when I face needing to help out one of my hens since illness or accidents do happen.

See if these link helps at all...
https://the-chicken-chick.com/how-to-humanely-euthanize-chicken-by-dr/

http://www.poultryindustrycouncil.c...delines-for-On-Farm-Euthanasia-of-Poultry.pdf

I think the ether or co2 or even CO might be a good choice for you.

Not to change subject but we all eat roosters. At least HALF of what you buy in grocery are roosters.

 

[bobbi-j]

Or, you could ask a local vet to put her down for you. Less chance of something going wrong and you having to deal with that. (We use the hatchet and stump method here, because we feel it's the quickest, most humane way. But I understand that's not for everyone.)

 

[chickencheeper]

Would WD40 work?

 

[bobbi-j]

Would WD40 work?

I would say no. WD40 is a lubricant. Please - if this is a pet that you love, spend the extra bit and take her to a vet if you can't do it quickly and humanely. In my opinion, suffocating an animal is neither.