How To Humanely Euthanize A Chicken..

[robbdebbie]

Okay, so I will embarass myself and tell a story about something stupid I did to help everyone out. After hurricane Katrina we didn't have electricity for over a month. One evening I was sitting in my garage trying to cool off a bit and write in my journal. We had a generator going but it was outside of the garage. As I was writing I noticed my handwriting getting poorer, and I was forgetting things I wanted to write in order and having to go back and redo it. After about 5 minutes of progressivly getting worse i realized what was happening. I was getting tired and getting ready to lean my head back. I didn't smell any fumes, or feel any pain. I was just sleepy. Thank goodness I realized what was happening. Anyways, Carbon Monoxide poisening wasn't painful.

 

[spectrumranch]

Quote:
THat might work for chicks- but I can't beleive it would be fast nor easy on a larger bird!

 

[suebee]

Quote:
Wow, you are very lucky. And I agree it isn't painful. Ether wouldn't be either. I could never wretch its neck. What a violent way to go! Plus if the bird is that sick to put out of misery, then it's already out of it...they would just peacefully go to sleep. Just my humble opinion.

 

[chickendude]

I'm sorry for what you have to do. As hard as it sounds I feel an axe is the quickest way but it is messy. Breaking her neck as posted here earlier is a very fast and definitely not painful. But you must do it quickly and firmly. It is never easy to put down an old friend but they way I look at it is I will be the one to put down my old friend. I must be the one simply out of love and respect for the bird. When it is completed cry and let it all out. But understand it had to be done and you did it the best way you can. Good luck with your situation, it is never an easy one.

 

[Sissy]

I am so sorry that you have
to make a such choice
but its for the best . she seems to be suffering now .
If she is unable to eat.




robbdebbie =you sure were lucky...
you must have had an Angel on your shoulder.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Quote:
THat might work for chicks- but I can't beleive it would be fast nor easy on a larger bird!

I could never freeze any animal EVER!!! Heck if i tried that with one of my "winter hardy" cochins I'd open it a day later and the bird would be in there chowin down on frozen food poopin all over

Personally I can't dispatch anything, I let my Dh take care of that. He takes them to the chopping block. If i ever had to I would go with the baking soda and vinegar method.

 

[Trish up North]

I'm another vote for simply breaking her neck, but even I have problems doing this with baby chicks and I know lots of people just don't have the stomach for it at all. Baking soda and vinegar work very well and if you can get the animal familiar with the vinegar smell before 'the deed', there's no panic or pain involved, they simply go to sleep. There is some gasping at the end (after they're asleep), so you might want to have something on hand to cover the container if you can't watch. Also, be sure and have LOTS of baking soda on hand, a couple of boxes even, just to be sure. The first time I did it, I underestimated how much I would need and was scrambling to get more and was afraid the chick would wake and I'd have to do it all over again. Fortunately, that didn't happen.

Google "Small animal euthanasia at home" and there's a very good site that explains how to do this simply and effectively with step by step instructions. I was very relieved to find this method and I now have a little 'gas chamber' on hand for the sad occasions that I need it. Hugs to you and your hen friend and I'm so sorry you have to do this.

 

[mrszlopez]

I appreciate everyones responses. I do not think that anyone can say that the quickest & most painless way to go is by having th head chopped off because no one has ever experienced it. Carbon monoxide poisoning is proven to be painless. Im definately not chopping her head off OR breaking her neck. There is no way I could ever. I am going to contact my friend & see if she could in any way euthanize her for me. If not, then I guess I will just wait it out & if she gets any worse, I will be left with no choice & probably so the vinegar thing.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I don't think I could handle any of these methods so far. Freezing to death seems kinda slow and cruel. I know eventually things fade out but up until then. eeek

Anyway best bet try to find a wild life rehaber. They can euthanize usually. I've had one help me out on a domesticated goose that was pretty mangled. Maybe even the humane society??

http://www.ahscares.org/page3.asp?page=carecenters&style=3
This one had a list of three centers. They might be able to help.

Other than that you might need to ask a friend or relative to help out. One suggestion made to me to make it a little less traumatic is to hood the chicken. Apparently calms them.

You might also give her drops of a herb called valerian. Its a herbal sedative. Enough drops could actually kill her but I would not know how many. I put a baby bird that I had tried to save but had internal issues to sleep permanently once this way but it was small and close to death anyway. At the very least enough drops to make the chicken too relaxed to care whats going on. If she is calm and not scared it might make the inevitable easier for you.

 

[chickendude]

Well good luck which ever way you decide to go. Not every one can handle doing it. Sorry for your pain.