First Cull, Didn't go so well

[Scissors65]

I’m so sorry! This is so awful for all involved!! A few weeks ago I had an old hen that I believe had Egg Yolk Peritonitis thanks to all the good information I received from the kind people on this forum.

I cared for her as best I could for a few days and realized she was not going to recover and I did not want her to suffer any longer. I wrestled with the best way to humanely euthanize her. In the end, I called the veterinary office that takes care of my dog and cat. They were so kind and agreed to euthanize her for us, even though they don’t routinely care for chickens or exotics. They charged me $25, and my sweet old hen did not suffer. Maybe this could be a good option for you in the future. I understand the cost associated is prohibitive for those with large farms, and some people can take care of it themselves. I know I cannot. For those of us backyard chicken farmers, this can be a really good option. Again, sorry you experienced this! Hugs!

Yes, I will definitely consider finding a vet, I am still very heartbroken on the way she passed. Opal had the same issue as your girl

 

[Scissors65]

I feel awful for you. Through years of working on a broiler farm, culling was something I had to do numerous times every day. At a guess, over the years, in excess of 2000 times. It was a part of my job I never liked but I liked even less to see a sick chook suffer.
These days I have my own beautiful girls at home and I love every single one of them so very much. When one needs culling I don't do it myself. I can't, of course I know how but can't bring myself to do it. Instead, I call a friend from a poultry farm and he does it. I give him a nice piece of fabric and he wraps my poor baby after, ready for me to bury. There's still heaps of tears, but none are for guilt. Maybe next time call a poultry farm nearby, I'm sure they'd be happy to help out.
Please, don't you and your husband beat yourselves up about this any more, think of it as a lesson learnt.You were trying to do the right thing, and your beautiful girl is at rest now. Hugs to you

Thank you for your kind words

 

[Scissors65]

I'm so sorry. In the world called Perfect, stuff like this doesn't happen but unfortunately this world isn't called Perfect and it does happen from time to time.

I've dealt with Marek's disease in my flock, along with the usual amount of unexpected incidents where I've had to cull a bird to keep it from suffering. Sometimes it goes perfectly, sometimes it doesn't and usually when it doesn't, it's with a bird that has been your favorite.

I always remember talking to a business owner who was a friend of ours. He had taken his young daughter deer hunting for the first time. Her shot was not perfect and she was very upset at the thought of having made the animal suffer. Her father told her that as a hunter, it was her responsibility to find the animal and release it from its suffering as soon as possible. It's what being a responsible hunter is all about. We owe that to the animals we hunt.

As Chicken Owners/Parents, it is the same. You did what you had to do to release an animal from it's suffering. When it didn't go right, you stuck with it. I doubt if she suffered.

Grieve, but do not blame yourselves. You will probably be faced with this again and no, it doesn't get easier but it's part of the responsibility of owning livestock.

Bless you both. Your little lady's spirit is flying free.

Thank you, the guilt is the hardest part, but we are working on it.

 

[Scissors65]

It’s never pleasant, it’s always hard and sad. It does get easier with time and numbers though. I find babies and sick hens hardest. But experience has taught me to know when to make the call and end their suffering Otherwise you can let them go too long hoping for a miracle while they suffer. Definitely the axe is quickest and easiest to avoid misfires.

I knew she had to be put down, and I am glad we didn't wait day to do it. She had a horrible 5 minutes verses days of suffering I suppose.

 

[Scissors65]

Sorry you had to do this at all, it's the hardest part of raising animals but necessary at times. I know this may sound a little cruel but I hold mine down in a large container of water and drown them. Usually they pass after a minute or two. I just pray for them to go quickly and to forgive me for taking their life as tears roll down my cheeks. I hate having to do it but at times its necessary.

I imagine that would be heartbreaking

 

[Hkofsd]

I was surprised no one has mentioned the dry ice method. It's what they use when harvesting the feathers and want to avoid blood. I have done it 4 times in my 10 years of chicken ownership and very humane. You can google it. I use coffee can large circular platform and 20 gallon rubbermaid trashcan with lid.

 

[WestraRanch]

I must agree, cutting off the head is the fastest way. Sad as it is. And I found those huge garden shears are good because when I’m alone I can’t keep them still while wielding the ax. So sorry you had to endure that, it’s how we learn though.

 

[Scissors65]

I was surprised no one has mentioned the dry ice method. It's what they use when harvesting the feathers and want to avoid blood. I have done it 4 times in my 10 years of chicken ownership and very humane. You can google it. I use coffee can large circular platform and 20 gallon rubbermaid trashcan with lid.

Thank you, I have never heard of that. I will need to do some research.

 

[Scissors65]

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry you went through that. I am dreading having to cull any full size chickens in the future when ours are older.

I am still new to chicken parenting, but we had to euthanize an ill chick, and we used ether after some research on humane practices for small lab animals. It seemed to me like it went to sleep peacefully, BUT my other half pointed out that the fumes may have been uncomfortable in its lungs before it passed, which is also hard to think about. But I couldn’t bring myself to snip it’s head off with pruning shears.

Yes, that is a scary thought for me too

 

[cassie]

I am truly sorry. I find that for me it is best not to overthink things and just do whatever is simplest and takes no skill. One day, through no fault of my own, it was up to me and me alone, to kill and butcher a chicken. Cervical location was out of the question. So was the broom handle method. So was an axe because I don't have the upper body strength necessary to wield an axe. I went out to the shop so see what I could find and my eyes lit on a big heavy duty pair of pruning shears. I figured maneuvering those would be within my skill level. They were. I lopped the head off that chicken before either he or I knew what was happening. I am so sorry for what you and the chicken went though. Sometimes in spite of all our best intentions things just go sideways.