How do i put down a hen, humanely

[A1 Steak Sauce]

Well generally as hard as you can, if the head comes off then that's alright. Sounds kind of gruesome, I know, but it's better than not pulling hard enough.

 

[Cornychick]

oh geez. I was afraid of that....

 

[ADozenGirlz]

How to cull by neck-breaking. This is my experience and I am sorry to have to share it:

My brother is right handed, so he holds the chicken under his left arm (like a football) pressing its body VERY securely against his side. Then, he puts his right hand on top of the hen's head with the fingers pointing toward the left and the thumb pointing down as if popping a champagne cork, away from you. (I hope this isn't too confusing). Finger knuckles up, so that you have a VERY firm grip on the head and your hand isn't going to slip off mid pull.

Then you want to pull as hard as you can (pardon the graphic nature here, to separate the spinal cord, you will hear the pop and will feel like you are pulling so hard that her head may be in danger of being pulled off, but you're likely not really that strong.

And for good measure, after you have pulled straight forward, bend the neck down (beak to belly, essentially, like folding the bird in half at the neck). Continue to hold the bird securely until any nerve activity has stopped. If necessary, and it likely will not be, but you may have to do it a second time. Our 6 week old rooster gave us a harder time giving up the ghost than our 9 month old rooster, but that is unusual.

If you have heard of the "swing it over your head" method, this is a much more reliable and faster version of that, but the goal is the same- to separate the spinal cord instantly.

The deaths I have witnessed were instant, with only a little shudder, no dramatic bleeding or flailing of wings.

Please know that as awful as it is for you to have to do this, you are doing a kindness to your feathered friend.

 

[Mt Top Chick]

Never mind, i am going to do it under the arm. Like the way AdozenGirlz describes. plus she gave me a print out for directions.

UGH this is going to be a hard thing to do.

thanks for all your support
gina

 

[Chickens14]

Sorry you have to go through this

I have done chicks but not the older yet...
The broom way sounds like the way I would
go... cover her if you need to so you don't have look
at her while you are doing this... Remember it is for
the best...

 

[Penturner]

There is one other way that might be worth getting set up for if you think you will have to do this often. Chickens are extremely sensitive to Co2 poisoning. You can get Co2 either in bottles (For Soda machines) or many fire extinguishers are filled with Co2. place bird in box and release gas in through a small hole. From what I have heard it is very fast. the chicken basically falls asleep then dies because of the gas.
Where this method is used the most a room is actually filled with Co2 (the gas is heavy and remains near the floor) the handlers simply hold the birds and then lower them toward the floor. it only takes seconds. this method is used do to the need to avoid any damage to feathers including the bird getting worked up and excited. No blood, no broken bones etc.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

There is a video on YouTube called "Humane Slaughter of a chicken" which shows someone using the "broomstick" method. It happens so quickly you almost miss it. No drama, but not fun to see.

 

[Chickens14]

Quote:
Thankyou for this method I was doing the vinegar & baking soda method... but this one sounds much easier..

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
Thankyou for this method I was doing the vinegar & baking soda method... but this one sounds much easier..

But they are both suffocation...not nearly as humane as severing the spinal cord...IMO.

 

[mdbokc]

Video of stunning them and then decapitation (the entire dressing out of the chicken follows as the video continues). It's over in a second. Always hard to do.