"Humane" way of culling chicken?

[BDutch]

Did anyone post this link yet?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...re-culling-the-injured-and-sick-babies.72140/
This is what I do and for an adult bird, I have a brand new(not dirty) Rubbermaid trashcan with a lid already full of paper towels, and I have a T-shirt in there to wrap around a bird who might be lively enough to try to jump or fly out before they get sleepy from the ether. I believe ether is very humane. They used to use it for people for surgery. I have several cans of the starter fluid on hand now. before I knew about this method I had very bad experience with the broomstick methodn it was a nightmare

Thanks a lot for the link to the article! I have been searching for this for a long time in case I have a very sick and miserable chicken that can’t/doesn’t seem to heal. @Maiahr

I have 2 questions though. I asked this as a response to the article too. But Im asking it here too bc you probably have the anwer too , or other people might.

Q1
How much starting fluid do I need to kill a small bantam chicken that weighs approx 1 pound or 550 grams? Do I need to double it for a larger bantam of 2 lbs/1.1 kg?

Q2
Is this a right starting fluid:
Holts Start Pilote starter fluid | 300ml
€12.54 (price 2025)
Holts Start Pilote is a very convenient starter fluid. The engine starter is a spray, which you can use on gasoline, diesel and two-stroke engines and the smaller engines, such as an outboard motor. The can has a capacity of 300 ml.
They sell a smaller spray can with 150 ml too.
The ingredients list:
View attachment 4088855

 

[DancesWithRoosters]

Thanks a lot for the link to the article! I have been searching for this for a long time in case I have a very sick and miserable chicken that can’t/doesn’t seem to heal. @Maiahr

I have 2 questions though. I asked this as a response to the article too. But Im asking it here too bc you probably have the anwer too , or other people might.

Q1
How much starting fluid do I need to kill a small bantam chicken that weighs approx 1 pound or 550 grams? Do I need to double it for a larger bantam of 2 lbs/1.1 kg?

Q2
Is this a right starting fluid:
Holts Start Pilote starter fluid | 300ml
€12.54 (price 2025)
Holts Start Pilote is a very convenient starter fluid. The engine starter is a spray, which you can use on gasoline, diesel and two-stroke engines and the smaller engines, such as an outboard motor. The can has a capacity of 300 ml.
They sell a smaller spray can with 150 ml too.
The ingredients list:
View attachment 4088855

People have posted this before in the forum and have come to the conclusions before of: This is still suffocation. Its like holding a chloroform rag to someone.
This is /still/ suffocation. Its still dark, scary, and takes 30mins to an hour to cull. Thats a long time to be scared and alone in a small, cramped, dark, foul box- slowly suffocating to death.

I cannot in good conscience say this is at all "humane" tbh. Ive never ever heard of this and it just seems like a veryvery long and drawn out execution.

When i did vettech/animal care in Ireland, our teacher always told us that suffocation methods like the one abover still trigger animal instincts to panic and struggle.
theres a pretty decent chance this wont be totally "kind".

Okay, im done being negitive Nancy now, but this just seems...cruel.

 

[Jenbirdee]

They fall asleep peacefully, like I said doctors used to use ether to put humans to sleep for surgery.
I use this because it’s 50% ether and I used a whole can for an adult duck that was about 3 pounds. https://www.walmart.com/ip/143624048?sid=4d19a36b-e3bd-46aa-850d-7f8fff065ca6
Yes, doctors did historically use ether as an anesthetic for surgery. Here's a breakdown:
* Early Use:
* Ether's anesthetic properties were recognized in the 19th century.
* It became a significant breakthrough in medicine, allowing for painless surgical procedures.
* Notably, in 1846, William T.G. Morton demonstrated the use of ether as an anesthetic during surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
* Historical Significance:
* Ether revolutionized surgery, transforming it from a terrifying ordeal to a more manageable medical intervention.
* It was widely used for many years.
* Decline in Use:
* Over time, safer and more effective anesthetic agents were developed.
* Ether has disadvantages, including its flammability and potential for side effects like nausea.
* Therefore, its use has significantly declined in modern medical practice in developed nations.
* Current Status:
* While largely replaced in developed countries, ether may still be used in some developing regions where resources are limited, due to its low cost.
In summary, ether played a crucial role in the history of anesthesia, but it has largely been superseded by newer, safer alternatives.

@Miss Lydia is an educator here and she uses this method as well

 

[DancesWithRoosters]

They fall asleep peacefully, like I said doctors used to use ether to put humans to sleep for surgery.
I use this because it’s 50% ether and I used a whole can for an adult duck that was about 3 pounds. https://www.walmart.com/ip/143624048?sid=4d19a36b-e3bd-46aa-850d-7f8fff065ca6
Yes, doctors did historically use ether as an anesthetic for surgery. Here's a breakdown:
* Early Use:
* Ether's anesthetic properties were recognized in the 19th century.
* It became a significant breakthrough in medicine, allowing for painless surgical procedures.
* Notably, in 1846, William T.G. Morton demonstrated the use of ether as an anesthetic during surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
* Historical Significance:
* Ether revolutionized surgery, transforming it from a terrifying ordeal to a more manageable medical intervention.
* It was widely used for many years.
* Decline in Use:
* Over time, safer and more effective anesthetic agents were developed.
* Ether has disadvantages, including its flammability and potential for side effects like nausea.
* Therefore, its use has significantly declined in modern medical practice in developed nations.
* Current Status:
* While largely replaced in developed countries, ether may still be used in some developing regions where resources are limited, due to its low cost.
In summary, ether played a crucial role in the history of anesthesia, but it has largely been superseded by newer, safer alternatives.

@Miss Lydia is an educator here and she uses this method as well

Ive never heard of it before so i gotta admit it took me by surprise.
in my vet classes they always suggested injections with proper sleep gasses first, etc, or hand culling methods that are vettrusted (like the broomstick or neckbreaking in general)

 

[BDutch]

Ive never heard of it before so i gotta admit it took me by surprise.

Many people tend to forget we have a history.

in my vet classes they always suggested injections with proper sleep gasses first, etc,

Such injections ar not available for consumers (not where I live). The starter fluid (mainly ether) can be bought at a car repair shop. An airtight box/barrel I can simply be one of my feed containers.

or hand culling methods that are vettrusted (like the broomstick or neckbreaking in general)

You need practice to do this neatly and quickly. Must be very painful for a moment or two. This is definitely not something 'we' want to do to sick people who are in pain and cannot be cured.