How to nicely euthenize a chick?

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
Actually, CO2 is something all of us already breathe. It's not ether or starter fluid. It is used as an anesthetic, as well.

One could also argue about beheading. No point in it, though, is there? It's good to know a wide spectrum of methods, because each person has different strengths and abilities. So we all have to choose what we're capable of doing. Just MHO.

I'm really not trying to argue but you are simply mistaken. Yes, we do all breathe
and expell carbon dioxide. The thing is it is not the CO2 that is doing the killing. It's
the lack of oxygen which results in suffocation, a horrible way to die. If I had to
decide my own way out I'd take the ether. Ether is used as an anesthetic, not CO2.
Carbon dioxide in higher concentrations can be toxic but it's far from instant.

As for beheading I'm told death is instant. I question this since the brain should
still function, if only for a few seconds.

This is not an arguement. It is just a discussion among friends.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:

I don't think there is anyone here who isn't an animal freak to some degree
or another.

This is always a hard topic and it never fails to come up every month or so.

Again, we are all friends, and freaks here.

 

[ebonykawai]

I'm not arguing either. I only said that people should look at different methods and choose what they think they are capable of doing.

You can Google the CO2 stuff. Lots of things can be used as an anesthetic.

 

[theOEGBman]

I cut off the head as well. Its an instant death. They might twitch, but its just nerves. Freezing is pretty messed up as every cell in the body has to freeze and Im sure its pretty painful. I've read about putting them in an air tight container with that fluid stuff, but if its air tight, wouldnt the bird suffocate? Just a question, not trying to start stuff.

 

[ebonykawai]

LOL, I "need to go eat some fruit or something"!!

OMG, let's talk about something else...

 

[coopist]

Quote:

I don't think there is anyone here who isn't an animal freak to some degree
or another. ... Again, we are all friends, and freaks here.

Yep, that's right. I have 2 cats, a dog, 38 chickens (counting this year's hatchlings). After my family and friends, my animals' welfare is foremost to me, which means I'd never allow one to suffer, even if it means I might have to be cussing, sad and/or uncomfortable for a little while... I had to put down two hatchlings this spring. I didn't want to, and I tried very hard to save them first. I think that's what makes it the hardest: turning away from trying to save them to face putting them down. It's a 180 that a lot of folks find very difficult. It's good we're here for each other, even if we differ on the methods.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
I couldn't agree more.

 

[equine chick]

Quote:
I've never had to put down a bird but I've heard several posts on members doing this in the past. Would I do it? I don't know? I don't know if i can kill a chicken with a knife either. I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I don't think you really know what you can and should do til you experience it.

 

[arwmommy]

Another option is what I have had to do a couple of times..... drive to the vet and hand them a dying baby. Certainly this is not an option for a large chicken operation, but we only have 3 chickens, and have a brooder full of babies, of which we will only keep 7, to make 10 bantams, total.

Our vet didn't even charge me both times, but even if they did, I would have been happy to pay the $10-15 I would imagine they would have charged. (Dogs and cats are about $50). Both times, they saw me come in with tears streaming down my face holding a baby wrapped up in a paper towel, and saying "I think she needs to be euthanized". They took the baby back, and came out saying "Yes, we took care of it". Both times I had forgotten my purse as I ran out the door and both times they happily (and sincerely) said, "Don't worry about it".

I had actually called one of my close friends who is a vet during one of the babies demise and asked if I could put it in a jar with something (gasoline? lighter fluid? anything?) that would humanely euthanize her. She said, either get a knife/shovel/something sharp and decapitate it, or take it to the vet. I am unable to do the first option when the second is easier for both of us.

If money is a concern, it may be worth it to call your vet NOW and ask how much it would cost, so you can decide now what your options are in case of an emergency.

It is good to have as many options as possible, as long as all of them are humane.

 

[bantymum]

LinckHillPoultrywrote : No, I havent had to euthenize one yet.
but I'm sure the day will come... and that's when I'll really know what you guys are talking about.
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sorry my quote button didnt work!

Dont worry, im sure they dont take offence, they are easy going nice all round people here!
I started a thread a long time ago asking for nice ways to do the task as if I ever have an emergency and a chicken is suffering badly i want to know what to do NOW.
We will all have some sort of emergency, even when our 17 year old chook is dying of old age, we dont want them to suffer and im sure if they could talk they would want our help.
They will stop eating and drinking to hasten their end and we can save that suffering.
Glean some info from this thread and decide which method you would feel comfortable using and keep in in store for future use if need be, god forbid.