I had to cull my baby chick. I am still shuddering.

[Carrie Lynn]

The poster I referred to said could see the body somewhat (in the opaque container) and it didn't appear to struggle.
So I'm guessing it died "quietly". I'd like to hear from others who have used this method.
I don't know that I think of this as a gassing, but I would like to know more about it. Since ether was used as an
anesthetic, I imagine the chick isn't aware of anything once it loses consciousness. But again, I can only assume until I learn more.
For what it's worth, my vets don't use the other other humane methods I've often read about either.
Not trying to offend or judge anyone...just want to know in case I'm ever faced with the decision.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

bigshoes, I am so very sorry you had to cull your chick. I would be just as shaken and upset as you,
you were very brave to do the right thing by ending it's suffering.

 

[ozark hen]

Quote:
Can you run an ad "to give away"? I found a good home for twenty of my chickens...kept 22. With the economy the way it is it seems to be easy to find homes for free chickens for folks who need eggs/chickens. Try that first, please, you will be helping folks who could use them.

 

[ozark hen]

I was five when I had my tonsils out and they used ether. I was out very quickly.

 

[azygous]

I was four when I had mine out, and it was ether that the doctor used. I recall the thing over my mouth and the smell, and then waking up later. Surely it must be no different for other living things.

Ever since I had to cull a very sweet hen due to, what appeared to be wasting disease, I am especially open to better alternatives. I smothered her with my hand over her beak while I held her closely and cried. She took about a minute to die, and as weak as she was, she struggled.

It is still awful to recall.

 

[lightfoot]

I prefer the pithing method, less than a second, eyes closed-no respiration, no mess. about the same as head choping, but no blood spraying from wings flapping. about as humane as you can get and less stress on people.

 

[azygous]

What's the "pithing method"? How is it done?

 

[lightfoot]

it is same method used on frogs, insert small thin, sharp, pointed knife into mouth. holding blade flat, point to back of skull, to an area of skull, below eye level and slightly above line beak. small pressure will penetrate the brain, twist blade 180 degrees. eyes will closed , breathing will stop and body will relax.

if you have a strong stomach, see photos and explanation below.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=992123

 

[azygous]

Thanks! That does sound pretty humane and quick. It's good info to have.

 

[Sumatra503]

I've seen the pithing method fail far too often. It is difficult to find the right spot and the bird often doesn't die and just wakes up later.

If you are not able to bring yourself to just outright cull the bird, then have someone else do it for you.

All this talk about the ether thing is just creeping me out. It makes me shudder to think of it. Just setting the chick in a bucket with a deadly liquid and sitting and waiting for it to die. It's like a scene from a horror film.

Ether has since been discoraged and in some cases banned as an anesthetic agent. I looked it up. The way it kills you is by suffocation. CO2 is the preffered gas if you use it for that purpose. Ether, though it is a liquid in form, emits fumes and gases that are used. It can cause severe respiratory irritation and coughing.

If it can kill you I doubt it was ever truly safe.