*GULP* When you say "cull".....

[Clay Mudd]

Freezing any animal to death is incredibly cruel.

I used to cook for a living. We had big walk-in freezers. Spending more than about 15 seconds in there was extremely unpleasant. Imagine my reaction when I first saw people suggesting freezing as a human way to kill a chicken!

 

[Fly Be Free]

I was actually thinking the same thing with the paper bag.

When culling chicks, I use a sharp pair of pruning sheers. I put the baby in a paper bag first and do the deed inside the bag so I don't have to see it. Burn or bury the bag and all when finished. On adult birds, I use the broomstick method since I'm not confident enough to use a hatchet to behead them. You place the bird on a flat surface on its chest. Place the broomstick over the back of the neck, then stand on the broom with one foot on either side of their head. Then simply pull up on the feet hard and fast. The broomstick method works with chicks too, but they're alot more delicate and their heads will pop off if you pull to hard. I don't particularly like either method, but when an animal is suffering both methods are fast and humane. Good luck!

 

[Fly Be Free]

Excuse me? There is more than one way to skin a cat and I was wondering what WAYS there were to tending the necessary unpleasantries that come with raising chicks. I'm not dull to responsibility where owning animals is concerned.

This is really strange. Don't you understand cutting off the head? It's simple, easy, and effective. Then put it in the trash or bury it. It's the human emotion thing that makes it hard, but it's the responsibility we assume when we take on the care of the chickens. That's what Fred said.

 

[Syharrison]

its a hard thing to do i think thats why im fighting not to become too attached, quick head chop is the way, had to do it to a turkey once, a very unpleasant encounter.

 

[dwegg]

It is a very hard thing as a new chicken owner to face at first but it is a necessary one...I did the vinegar and baking soda container and it was quick and painless for both of us...

 

[Ole rooster]

I know that Fly be free. I didn't imply you didn't know, just stated that that's part of the deal. There are so many ways of killing a chicken, but everyone of them comes down to the same thing. Unless you know some way of suffocating the chicken instantly, its will be bloody but that just the way it is.

 

[AllenWMiller]

I whole heartedly agree with Fred quick and clean is the only humane way to deal with weak and malformed chicks. And I agree that unless you have the stomach and the heart to dispatch these chicks you shouldn't tred into poultry husbandry even as a hobby. In the end whether you have one ten or ten thousand chickens you are taking on the responsibility for proper husbandry. These are fully domesticated animals (Gallus domesticus) and rely on their keeper for care in all forms. Dispatching chicks is part of a keepers duty. So a quick twist and snap of the neck for one is the best method.

Poultry husbandry isn't all sunshine and flowers but the rewards far outweigh the regrets.