HELP!! What is the most humane way to cull a chicken?

[peepinator]

To cull or not to cull and if so...what is the most humane way to do it?

Here's what's been going on.....I've got a sick girl, she's a silkie and I noticed she wasn't feeling well,so I removed her from the rest of the chickens and put her in a seperate pen and at the time she was still eating and drinking a little. Kept her in there for a couple days and then on last Friday, I noticed she was very weak and wasn't eating so I brought her up to the house and started feeding her water and VET RX through a dropper. She has a cough and a rattling in her chest, no discharge from her nose or eyes and her ear lobes appear swollen (I think that has gone down a bit though)...Then on Saturday, I got yogurt and polyvisol (baby vitamins) and started feeding her that along with VET RX. I also went to the farm store and got some antibiotics (tetracycline hydrachloride powder), I gave her some of this mixed with water this morning and gave her more yogurt and VET RX. She is very weak, just laying there but she is pooping periodically. She is not eating on her own, though she did drink a little on her own yesterday morning. I am not sure if I should put her back with the rest of her flock even if I were to get her well since I've read nothing positive about Infectious bronchitis and I'm thinking this might be what she has (though no discharge at all in her nose or eyes) and I've been reading on here that even though a chicken could get better, they carry this virus with them and can infect other birds because the virus cycles. What should I do? Am I wasting my time trying to get her well when in the end, she could infect my other chickens? Also, I'm not sure she hasn't already infected my other chickens and they just haven't come down with it yet. Could this just be a regular cold and she is just sick? She is an older chicken, probably close to 4 years old and I'm wondering if she just has a cold. Her chest is rattling when she breathes. Please help if you have comments or advice. I'm at a loss here. I have read lots of posts on here but am still not sure what to do about this. I've never had to cull a chicken before, though grew up on a farm where we butchered chickens (my dad did the butchering, us kids did the plucking) but I've never killed one myself.

Thanks...

 

[Fred's Hens]

A sharp hatchet is quick and over with quickly. Super fast way to end suffering. This is never an easy or enjoyable part of being a flock keeper. But, we pull on our big boy pants, or big girl pants and do what needs to be done.

Some use pruning shears, if it is a smaller bird and the shear are large enough. Some use a .22 shot, but since the bullet will pass through the chicken's small body, do that sort of thing with great care.

Sorry you've gotta do this, but doing it is sometimes not an option. Do it quick and then go spend some time with your other living birds. Circle of life.

 

[seminolewind]

I agree with Fred. A sharp hatchet is the quickest most humane way. I usually cover their eyes when I have to do it.

 

[aghiowa]

if your willing to pay alittle, or if this chicky is a favorite, her put down by a vet; but i also agree with fred if your out in the country

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oh and p.s i don't think she passed it on

 

[seminolewind]

if your willing to pay alittle, or if this chicky is a favorite, her put down by a vet; but i also agree with fred if your out in the country

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oh and p.s i don't think she passed it on

X2. I can't do my older hens, so they go to the vet.

 

[Mehjr10]

Look up treating with Tylan 50 If i recall correctly 3ml for standard bird or LA200 they both work quickly. The la200 is a bit easier on the birds and tissues when injected. Check on the dosages.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/631458/miracle-la-200-dosage-and-vetrx-for-crd-treatment



I like putting them in a cone, and sharp knife to the juglar vein. They cannot flap around and stay calm, with a good bleed out.

 

[casportpony]

X2. I can't do my older hens, so they go to the vet.

I can't do any of mine! If I'm lucky, I'll get a vet that feels sorry for me and they'll do it for free.

 

[peepinator]

Thanks for your advice. My girl passed yesterday afternoon I just hope she is resting in peace now. I hope my other chickens don't have to go through what she did. As of yesterday they all seemed healthy so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[seminolewind]

Very sorry for your loss. It helps me to bury mine and stand and say a prayer for them, and how much happiness they've given me. It's a funeral, and they deserve that.

 

[nobodyherebutuschickens]

I've been nosing around the internet, searching for humane ways to cull my birds. It's a good thing to know how to do by yourself, because you never know when there might be an emergency or some other situation that requires you dispatch your chicken quickly and calmly. I've recently found this video, and I really like the way she does it. She's firm and sure, but still respectful of the bird's life. I hope this helps, even if it's for future reference. http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/how-to-kill-a-chicken-video.html