Euthanizing chickens, least violent way?

[stoopid]

I haven't done real big birds, I just cut their heads off with a nice sharp pair of scissors, or snips.

 

[MOChickenz]

Quote:
I found that a firm grasp of the head and a quick swing worked really well too (learned from a LONG time breeder). AND I was happily surprised to see there was MUCH less flopping and twitching than there is when you decapitate.

For chicks, I prefer a sharp pair of shears. I can't bring myself to suffocate an animal, no matter what they are or how young / small.

I used to do that, and then I did it WRONG and had a live, broken necked chicken in my hands. Shudder

 

[m_shuman]

DH used to use a golf club when he culled for one of the hen houses here in S. GA that grow meat birds.

 

[BitsyB]

We had to cull our first one the other day- something I knew for years was coming but wasn't looking forward to...

I got an old sheet, cut 2 pieces, wrapped one around her body and the other gently around her head, I held her on the ground softly and after thanking her for all the lovely eggs she has given us over the years, my husband used a lopper shears (one big enough to cut small branches) and just cut off her head. I wussed out and looked away, but I could feel her wings flapping some and DH says that's just nerves, she can't feel anything. Then we buried her in the yard (can't bear to eat a pet).

 

[secuono]

I have an axe, but that never ended well. It's dull as all heck, we've used it on trees and such. It never makes a clean cut, I also don't have the best aim with it.
Cutting the throat with a box cutter also didn't end well. Not the knife side of it, but the me cutting myself on the cone and the chicken freaking out the whole time and cutting itself, ugh!! I used the said axe from above and totally missed, oh the poor bird!
Just awful.
If I get a hatchet, how do I keep the edge super sharp? How do I keep the bird still, from the head side of things..? I can tie feet, should I tie the head too and just toss the bird, string and all? That didn't work the last time, they NEVER stay calm, all my birds loose it when I pick them up. They are fine once I get them settled in my arms, but if I go to put them down or lay them down, they loose it again. I can't hit the target while running after the bird!

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
I like to use a grinder to sharpen any hatchet or ax before using them to dispatch an animal, I know a lot of people don't have access to them, so it would be a time consuming project with a sharpening stone, or you could have a professional sharpen it for you.

I wrap the body in an old sheet to keep the flopping to a minimum, both before and after the head is removed. I also use a piece of 2x4 with three nails in it in a triangle shape, the neck goes between the two nails at the bottom of the triangle, and a piece of yarn that is in a slip knot around the birds neck (at the last possible second) gets pulled and looped around the third nail at the top of the triangle. This pulls the neck out to keep them from scrunching their head down and gives a good point of aim (just behind the nails). I can't remember who I got that from, but it was someone on here. This does require 2 people to complete the task, but I like it.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Personally, I think that suffocating them with a noxious gas is extremely violent. If you don't want to use an ax, I suggest taking them to the vet for a simple injection.

You aren't suffocating them....you are overdosing them on ether.....they go to sleep and don't wake up. Not violent at all. I only use that method for young chicks tho. I've never done it with a full grown bird.

 

[ChickInDelight]

I have never done this - but the ONE time I saw it done...

First, the man walked around with the bird hanging upside down for a few minutes. Then, the bird lay motionless on the chopping block. It seemed non-traumatic.

Can anyone comment on hanging them updside down? Seems also that if the blood rushes to the head, that is where you want it coming out anyway.

 

[Thespoiledchicken]

I'm a wuss. 10 years ago I had 2 nasty roosters (1 flogged me good). I waited until night time and put them in cat carriers, off to the vet for a needle in the am. I couldn't stand the thought of killing them myself but I was ok with them being dead

I will keep this method for the future as it is less stressful for me.

Trish

 

[debs_flock]

If you're looking for something less hands on, placing them in one of those styrofoam ice chests with a chunk of dry ice will do the trick. The dry ice will give off co2 and they will go to sleep. It takes about ten minutes or so, depends on the volume of space to fill.

I've personally never used it on a chicken, but it does work well with rabbits. I've actually always dispatched rabbits by breaking their neck, but I've had many friends that use the dry ice method. We're talking of course for putting down a pet, not dealing with butchering.

The starter fluid method of course is the type for a car, not a bbq (I'm sure you knew, but it needed to be clear for others). If you go that route you use the same type of ice chest and douse a rag with the fluid.

Deb