When you come to the hard decision to euthanize one or more members of your flock there are many ways to do so. If you aren't able or willing to eat the bird then your options increase. If you are like us, you read as many posts as possible and decided that cutting or shooting and the subsequent bloody mess are not in your skill set; consider using engine starting fluid (diethyl ether) as a humane way to do it.
Though we read many posts that described the steps - sort of. Last night we had to do it for the first time ourselves and we documented as much of the process as a way to help others with this and understand that it's possible. Below is the list of supplies, steps and we explain the variables that may change for your specific circumstances.
Plan for this to take 30 minutes at minimum.
What happens:
The ether and C02 will put the bird to sleep within 30 sec. to a minute (we heard a soft thump as she passed out) and then within a few minutes (5 minutes in our case) the bird will die from the fumes. There will be convulsions for 15 to 30 seconds as they pass, its normal and they cannot feel it as they are asleep. That is it. I did it mostly on my own, it was my turn since my partner had another chicken die in his arms while I was away at a conference.
Location/safety:
- Do this OUTSIDE, a must and away from family and other animals - diethyl ether is toxic and very flammable - stay away from flames, sparks, etc.
- Know how you are going to dispose of the body (bury, burn, necropsy examination first) and have that prepped before starting.
Timing: night so your birds are roosting and more docile, including the unfortunate subject
Supplies: required
1 can engine starting fluid (available at Walmart or any auto supply store): Amount will vary depending on size of bird (for a 4.5 lb pullet we used about 1/3 of an 11oz can)
Air filtering mask - 1 for each person involved (we used paint masks from a home improvement store - they were ok but I got a headache from the gasses)
1 5-gallon plastic bucket with solid lid (clean - because, come on, its the last place they will remember)
1 garbage bag big enough to cover the bucket
4 to 5 paper towels - or old wash cloth - plan on throwing out after use
headlamp or flashlight
old towel (tea towel size or as large needed to hold the chicken)
chair, bench, someplace to sit
Optional:
line the bottom of the bucket with some bedding material or an old towel
rubber gloves - thin surgical style gloves
Brick
Steps: after dark
Bring all supplies outside and set within reach of the chair
Turn on flashlight or headlamp
Set up the bucket (with towel or bedding if wanted)
Practice sealing the bucket - Lay the unopened bag over the bucket and cover the bucket making sure the bag isn't preventing a good seal - Set aside so you can reach it easily
Put on mask(s) and gloves making sure the mask fits tight
Hold towel(s) inside the bucket - spray towel(s) with enough fluid to wet the towel(s) really well.
Leave in bucket and close lid very tightly (place brick on top to help seal)
Wait 1-2 minutes before fetching the chicken (allows fumes to saturate bucket)
Get chicken from coop (make sure to close the coop if she wasn't isolated already)
If you want to wrap her tightly in a towel (we did not)
Open lid, place her in quickly, reclose lid with plastic sealing lid. Check lid to make sure its sealed, weigh with the brick.
Have a seat, this is where patience is important
Listen quietly for a light thump.
Wait for the convulsions to occur, it will sound like nothing inside until the body starts thumping inside the container for 30 secs to 1 minute after a 5 minute wait. (we picked up supplies while waiting, but was done within 3 minutes) It also got us away from the fumes.
We waited another 2 minutes to ensure it was over.
Check your masks to ensure the seal is good, still be careful of breathing too deeply.
Take off lid and check the bird, its likely to look quite disheveled, probably with fluid around mouth and if its eaten expect droppings.
I used the garbage bag to hold our bird while taking the contents of our 5-gallon bucket to the trash dumpster. Don't leave the fluid soaked towels, etc. around dangerous and flammable stuff, seal in a ziplock if throwing away inside but I do not recommend it.
Other considerations
I've read that older birds can take longer to succumb. Research this please.
Check the weight of your bird, ours was a 6 month old pullet 4.5lb (1st egg killed her), we probably overdosed a bit but at $4 a can it was reasonable to use 1/3 to 1/2 the can.
Practice safety, please do not breathe the fluid directly.
I performed a necropsy (not covered here) then buried the body in the back yard that evening in the hole I prepped earlier that day. The takeaway was she had ripped her oviduct and had an egg floating in her abdomen, a death penalty that would have been painful for her.
No matter what you believe, know this; it's better to end pain for an injured or sick bird soon and humanely.
Though we read many posts that described the steps - sort of. Last night we had to do it for the first time ourselves and we documented as much of the process as a way to help others with this and understand that it's possible. Below is the list of supplies, steps and we explain the variables that may change for your specific circumstances.
Plan for this to take 30 minutes at minimum.
What happens:
The ether and C02 will put the bird to sleep within 30 sec. to a minute (we heard a soft thump as she passed out) and then within a few minutes (5 minutes in our case) the bird will die from the fumes. There will be convulsions for 15 to 30 seconds as they pass, its normal and they cannot feel it as they are asleep. That is it. I did it mostly on my own, it was my turn since my partner had another chicken die in his arms while I was away at a conference.
Location/safety:
- Do this OUTSIDE, a must and away from family and other animals - diethyl ether is toxic and very flammable - stay away from flames, sparks, etc.
- Know how you are going to dispose of the body (bury, burn, necropsy examination first) and have that prepped before starting.
Timing: night so your birds are roosting and more docile, including the unfortunate subject
Supplies: required
1 can engine starting fluid (available at Walmart or any auto supply store): Amount will vary depending on size of bird (for a 4.5 lb pullet we used about 1/3 of an 11oz can)
Air filtering mask - 1 for each person involved (we used paint masks from a home improvement store - they were ok but I got a headache from the gasses)
1 5-gallon plastic bucket with solid lid (clean - because, come on, its the last place they will remember)
1 garbage bag big enough to cover the bucket
4 to 5 paper towels - or old wash cloth - plan on throwing out after use
headlamp or flashlight
old towel (tea towel size or as large needed to hold the chicken)
chair, bench, someplace to sit
Optional:
line the bottom of the bucket with some bedding material or an old towel
rubber gloves - thin surgical style gloves
Brick
Steps: after dark
Bring all supplies outside and set within reach of the chair
Turn on flashlight or headlamp
Set up the bucket (with towel or bedding if wanted)
Practice sealing the bucket - Lay the unopened bag over the bucket and cover the bucket making sure the bag isn't preventing a good seal - Set aside so you can reach it easily
Put on mask(s) and gloves making sure the mask fits tight
Hold towel(s) inside the bucket - spray towel(s) with enough fluid to wet the towel(s) really well.
Leave in bucket and close lid very tightly (place brick on top to help seal)
Wait 1-2 minutes before fetching the chicken (allows fumes to saturate bucket)
Get chicken from coop (make sure to close the coop if she wasn't isolated already)
If you want to wrap her tightly in a towel (we did not)
Open lid, place her in quickly, reclose lid with plastic sealing lid. Check lid to make sure its sealed, weigh with the brick.
Have a seat, this is where patience is important
Listen quietly for a light thump.
Wait for the convulsions to occur, it will sound like nothing inside until the body starts thumping inside the container for 30 secs to 1 minute after a 5 minute wait. (we picked up supplies while waiting, but was done within 3 minutes) It also got us away from the fumes.
We waited another 2 minutes to ensure it was over.
Check your masks to ensure the seal is good, still be careful of breathing too deeply.
Take off lid and check the bird, its likely to look quite disheveled, probably with fluid around mouth and if its eaten expect droppings.
I used the garbage bag to hold our bird while taking the contents of our 5-gallon bucket to the trash dumpster. Don't leave the fluid soaked towels, etc. around dangerous and flammable stuff, seal in a ziplock if throwing away inside but I do not recommend it.
Other considerations
I've read that older birds can take longer to succumb. Research this please.
Check the weight of your bird, ours was a 6 month old pullet 4.5lb (1st egg killed her), we probably overdosed a bit but at $4 a can it was reasonable to use 1/3 to 1/2 the can.
Practice safety, please do not breathe the fluid directly.
I performed a necropsy (not covered here) then buried the body in the back yard that evening in the hole I prepped earlier that day. The takeaway was she had ripped her oviduct and had an egg floating in her abdomen, a death penalty that would have been painful for her.
No matter what you believe, know this; it's better to end pain for an injured or sick bird soon and humanely.
