Holistic Euthanasia- Anyone have expirences?

[VA Jenny]

I don't feel a bird that can't walk is humane. Dont get me wrong, I am a total animal lover, but where is the line?

 

[VA Jenny]

Also, bless you. It is hard. Feel for you.

 

[McChickenMc]

Ouch

 

[1cock2hens]

gas the bird?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

There's no excuse in all the world for "euthanasia" to take more than a few minutes TOPS. Over weeks? That's a horrific concept. Please do not go through with that. I would feel very uncomfortable with a vet making that suggestion.

Most emergency vets, even if they are not 'all animal' vets, will euthanize an 'exotic' or farm animal with injectable drugs, usually sedatives, and it's over in moments. Otherwise, I STRONGLY suggest something like CD or a simple cutting off the head. You can place the body in a cardboard box with a shroud for burial. Even slitting it's throat and bleeding it out would be more humane than days or weeks of suffering.

Also, DO NOT try to gas this bird. CO2 is only appropriate for very small animals weighing a few lbs. Your turkey, and indeed most adult chickens, does NOT qualify! Additionally birds have exceptionally sensitive respiratory systems. CO2 poisoning/gas will be VERY painful for it.

As a whole veterinarians agree that cervical dislocation, in all it's forms, is the most humane method for home euthanasia for adult chickens and many other animals. I can't imagine this being any different for adult turkeys.

Perhaps if you can't find someone to follow through for you, you can reach out to other local poultry keepers and ask them to do it for you. That way if the head is removed you never have to see it before it goes respectfully into it's box.

Additionally, if you find a vet to do the injectable route, please make sure the remains are buried deeply with a stone on top. Gravestones first existed so that wild animals would not dig up the bodies. You do not want a wild animal to dig up the drug laden turkey carcass and eat it.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope you think deeply on what's best for the bird and causes the least harm.

 

[1cock2hens]

according to the american veterinary medicine association fumigants are perfectly acceptable in this circumstance.. they list it as an option for when you cant take the animal to the vet and shooting is not an option. works on larger mamals too and is not painful. if it were painful people wouldnt drift off to sleep and accidentally die from co2 unknowingly ..

from the Missouri dept of conservation..
"The AVMA has established guidelines for the euthanasia of animals, both domestic and wild (see their website listed under External Links below). Because these techniques are intended for use by veterinary professionals in controlled settings, the AVMA acknowledges that euthanasia is not always feasible and that other methods must sometimes be used to dispatch "

"Fumigants sometimes acceptable
The AVMA classifies fumigants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as acceptable under some conditions. Gas cartridges available at farm- and garden-supply stores produce carbon monoxide that accumulates in lethal amounts when confined, such as in a burrow or other chamber."

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Excuse me, I should redefine. Unless you have a proper equipment, at-home CO2 is not acceptable.

IF you can purchase 100% CO2, build an appropriate sealed chamber, and have a pump, then CO2 can be appropriate. The baking soda/vinegar method that is commonly used in at-home euthanasia can only provide a rate of flow appropriate for animals up to a few lbs.
http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/