First time culling (5wk old) cockerels

[Toddrick]

It has come to this. I've read a few threads, and I think how it is done is mostly about preference. My preference is to use a shoestring nuse. I figure it will keep the bird relatively quiet and stop blood to the brain at once. Before I tighten it I was going to use some ether to make it as comfortable as possible. It sounds fool-proof to me, I just want some second opinions to make sure there is no flaw in my plan. I don't want to do a halfway job.

 

[Free Feather]

5 weeks! That sounds awful young.

 

[Toddrick]

5 weeks! That sounds awful young.

Well, I'd rather grow them out and eat them and instead of burying, but I don't want fighting in the brooder, and I don't want to feed and cleanup after birds that I'm not even keeping. Is this wrong? Frankly, I just don't want to get too attached by investing much more time with them.

 

[donrae]

I've not culled at that age, or with that method, but it doesn't sound as quick as decapitation or cutting the throat. I don't know if they're too old for a CO2 chamber at that age but I've had good luck with it on new chicks. If you read through this entire article, there's good evidence it's a pretty humane way to go, but you have to follow the concentrations, not just flood them with CO2.

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

 

[Free Feather]

It really does not sound very quick. Could you not re-home them? I know it is hard to find a home for cockerels, and some people see it as throwing a burden onto someone else, but if you really do not want them that much and will not eat them, if you would be something to think about.

 

[Toddrick]

Will the jugular vein and carotid artery not squeeze off when compressed? I assumed my method would be as quick as using a razor and funnel, except without the blood, because it would block blood flow to the brain. Plus, I intend for them to be unconscious when I do it, so their should be minimal struggle. I love animals and want to be very humane, but also minimally traumatic to myself.

I would much rather rehome them, but I don't know anyone who wants a rooster. No one has responded to my ad. They are starting to spar a lot, and I don't want them to poke out an eye or anything.