ForFutureReference... How to humanely cull severely injured chicken

[629864]

Hi all,

So 2 days ago, we came home and found one of our 14 week old hens in the pasture (she must've gone further afield than the rest of the gang) barely alive. She'd been attacked and was on her back still breathing, but unable to even attempt getting up. My only guess is that our approaching vehicle must've scared away whatever got to her. There was no saving her, as her injuries were far too extensive. But I found myself in a horrible situation: needing to put her out of her misery quickly, but not knowing HOW. I will not go into what we ended up doing or not doing as it's all hindsight anyway. But in future, I want to know ahead of time how to help end my bird's suffering without worrying about inadvertently causing even more trauma and pain.

So, please help. Teach those of us who haven't done this before what we're supposed to do and how we're supposed to do it.

I truly appreciate any of you willing to step up and describe the unpleasant details. I'm sure others new to raising chickens/guineas/quail/etc will also benefit and appreciate the guidance. Whether they're our pets or a food source, I don't think any of us here want to cause unnecessary suffering for any of our animals.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

This is a great idea. Thank you for starting this thread.

 

[dawg53]

Dig a hole and put the bird in the hole. Use a .22 pistol or rifle, one bullet to the head. Then bury her. Quick, easy, painless.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your pullet.

There's as many ways to put a bird down as their are opinions it seems.

For me, the broomstick (cervical dislocation) method is the easiest and quickest. There's a lot of videos on youtube.
Small chicks then I use this method. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

Here's a thread that was started years ago that you may find helpful. There's many others similar to it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/euthanasia-information.1195265/

 

[629864]

Dig a hole and put the bird in the hole. Use a .22 pistol or rifle, one bullet to the head. Then bury her. Quick, easy, painless.

If I could hit the side of a barn (cruddy eyesight), I'd probably consider this, but I'd more likely end up startling it to death with multiple missed shots.

 

[member 512732]

I lost 8 chickens when it was 119 degrees and the ac just didnt make a difference...and some of these were my favorites. I found two in my kitchen looking for water and and the cat dish was empty and they died there. I was beyond heartbroken. There was one barely alive and I thought it best to bring her to bed with me. I lost one a year before that I took to my bed and she died at 4am on July 31st. At 7am a cop knocked on my window to tell me my boyfriend just died in an accident. I really needed my chicken at that moment but she was gone. The second chicken I took to bed wasnt any better after three days....just hanging on and he vets here supersuck. Anyway three weeks later she was all better and not interested in going back out but with ten dogs I thought it best. I still have her. If I had to kill a chicken on purpose I would have to pay to have a vet do it like my cat and dog.