Home Euthanation

[biretta]

Quote:
Although I've never taken it upon myself to kill a chicken, this method just doesn't seem that quick to me, in comparison to chopping the head off, or shooting it which I realize may not always be feasible for everyone. Most importantly, simply putting any creature in a position that is unnatural and would evoke fear, anxiety, and discomfort (upsidedown) and additionally binding its legs which couldn't be comfortable and likely painful, seems barbaric. That's just me though. I personally would prefer to be shot or die by guillotine, both of which seem instantaneous in comparison to possibly being able to feel my throat being slit.

 

[chicknmania]

If you live close to your state ag dept, you can call them and ask them to do a necropsy and ask them to euthanize the birds for you. They will do the euthanasia for peanuts, and you'll also find out what's wrong with your birds. I don't know where you're from, if you're in the US, a lot of states will do it for free, and for the rest, the cost is usually not bad.

 

[chicknmania]

Whoops, ok, I see you're from Connecticut. I think it's worth calling to find out, anyway.

 

[morelcabin]

I've tried wringing a neck once...never try that again...I don't like the feel of something losing it's life in my hands like that, if you're at all queasy don't do that.
I've tried hanging one upside down and cutting it's throat...that didn't end up being my preference either.
The easiest way, I find, is to put two nails in a chopping block close enough together to hold it's head so you can stretch it out enough to hold it in place, and chop it's head of with one good sharp blow of an axe. It seems to be the quickest way to kill it, to me anyway.

 

[chickchick]

Chick Chick's hubby here:

If you can't bring yourself to kill them personally (and I can understand why it might be hard, especially if they're loved pets), one of the most humane ways you can kill them is with Carbon Monoxide 'poisoning.'

Put them in a large tupperware/plastic bin that has a lid. Run a laundry vent hose (or some such larger, heat-safe 'hose') from your car's exhaust into the bin. They'll just 'fall asleep' as the CO replaces the oxygen.

It's fairly humane, less 'hands-on'. I'm not sure if they'd be safe to eat afterwards, honestly. Then again if you can't bring yourself to end their life in a direct manner, I don't think you'll be eating them.

Best wishes,
Dionys

 

[backintime]

I agree with Chick Chick's hubby! As a child, I used to watch my grandpa use this same method to euthanize skunks that got in his garden. He'd hook up the car exaust to the wooden box-type trap and start the car. The skunks never struggled or sprayed, they just went to sleep. It was like an anesthetic. I can't think of a more humane way to kill something! My heart goes out to you, though. No matter how bad it needs doing, it's a tough job. Hugs to you for trying to make it humane.

 

[Azure]

HI,

I am amazed at some of the ingenuity shown by some replies, also shaken. I use a poultry dispatcher, its small and is used in one hand and is like a pair of pliers, its easy to cuddle your bird and then gently put it round their neck whilst kissing them goodbye, one hard squeeze and its humanely over. Not sure if I can post this link but it sounds like some of you might be interested in this kind of thing

http://www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/shop.product/categoryid/33/productid/922

 

[Shaun Hagan]

The picture they have is very poor, how is this different from a pair of heavy shears?

 

[Azure]

The dispatcher crushes the spinal cord rather than cutting it, so no blood.

 

[Shaun Hagan]

OK, that makes sense, thanks.