euthanizing chicken

[Chicks&Chihuahuas]

Where are you located? I agree please post pics. There are many people that will care for special needs birds. There are also many out there that have no problem having a "house chicken" that is separate from our regular flock if it is bullying of the weak that you are worried about. I had my house chicken for no other reason than I adored her and she loved to be inside with us. I actually have some chicks on the way and fully intend for at least one of them to live inside. I just agree with the previous poster that perhaps there may be someone who may be able to offer some advice other than to kill her for her disability...

 

[Sunshyne276]

Agreed! If the original poster is located close to me, or is willing to ship, I will adopt and take care of the little baby.
Just let me know!

 

[tammyd57]

It sounds like a slipped tendon to me. This is usually fairly easy to fix. GENTLY stretch the chicks leg out to full forward extension, while stretched out manipulate the back of her 'elbow' to get the tendon back in it's groove. It can take two people to do this without hurting the chick. It might take some repeat tries to get the tendon to stay where it's supposed to be as it has stretched some from being improperly placed.
I hope this helps. If it doesn't, and you still want to cull, an easy way for chicks is to wrap it in a paper towel and snip the head off with a pair of sharp shears (kitchen scissors or garden shears work well) It is quick and painless for the chick and you don't get much blood, if any, and you aren't looking the chick in the eye when you do it.

 

[justbugged]

I have put day old chicks into the freezer. With a old chick I would wait until dark and then place the bird in a plastic container with a lid and pop it into the freezer. That way they just go to sleep. I would though try to rehab the pullet first.

 

[cindy leigh]

Quote:
I think the root of the problem may be at the higher joint- analagous to the human shoulder.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Edited for reply to previous post.

 

[Chicks&Chihuahuas]

Edited for reply to previous post.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Euthanasia is never an easy topic. We can only do what we can and most often there is more to consider than just the critter. Attacking one way as not best for the critter without taking the human aspect of it into consideration is not kind. It is a complex topic.

Let's stay on topic and respect the OPs request.

To the OP your options are severely limited by your daughters feelings on this matter. It might be best to have a heart to heart with her regarding euthanasia and the desire to make it quick and painless. While she is understandably at that age where the violence of beheading is disturbing she is also probably mature enough to see the outcome as sudden and complete. So sorry your put into this position.

ETA human medications would not necessary work. The type and action may not have the same pathway in a chicken. It would depend on the medication.

 

[Kedreeva]

The end fact is that there is no painless euthanasia- it's ALL forms of death and death is rarely painless when forced. But there's a difference between ending a life as swiftly as possible and drawing it out trying to be kind to avoid feeling guilty. From what you're saying and the guidelines you've given, it very much seems like you're trying to ease your own and your daughter's consciences without really considering what is best for the chicken. If you don't personally have experience with an axe, there may be someone who does- and if you're worried about your daughter you can tell her you are taking the chicken to a farm or something.

If you're dead set on killing the chicken yourself, I'm going to have to agree on the freezer method being one of the least troublesome, and add that you could try putting her in a box hooked up to your car's tailpipe. We used to euthanize our small rodents this way when they had gotten too old, injured, or sick.

Another option may not be particularly kind but as it seems to me you're basically looking for a way to do this without blood or having to get very hands-on yourself, you could consider any of the various poisons of our world, given with an eye-dropper or syringe. Anti-freeze, rubbing alcohol, drain-o.... pick your poison and bottoms up for her.

Any of these will do the job and all of them will be more unpleasant for the chicken than just doing it right and explaining to your daughter why it's done one way and not the others. Sometimes parents just have to suck it up and do the right thing regardless of what the kid wants

 

[kristenm1975]

One method that has been mentioned on here before that I tried was using one of the -caines to bring about a quick, painless death. I'd read numerous posts, stating that after applying a product containing benzocaine or lidocaine, the chicken died very quickly. I DID NOT find this to be the case. I would recommend a more sure method. It took my chick nearly 36 hours, with repeated applications, to finally pass away.

I'm sorry that you have to deal with this. I know it's never easy.