I have to destroy my entire flock. I need a very humane way

[gogoalie]

I don't think that propane or nat gas emmissions would kill them inhumanly, if you read stories on CO1 poisoning from nat gas or propane, the familys all die in their sleep, & only one or two will stir, those are usually the ones with strong will power, the others drift off to sleep, & don't even know they're dead...

 

[True Grit]

I agree if you call a USDA vet they could help you or even your own vet might be able to guide you in the quickest most humane method. I'm so sorry.

 

[b.hromada]

Quote:
Thats how I feel too.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Quote:
If you need to resort to shooting with the .22, don't shoot them in the side, The organs can easily be missed, & they suffer. Shoot directly up the butt, & they drop instantly. I had to shoot 17 roosters one time, & learned this the hard way.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Just my two cents here about "humane" injections.
DD and I took our beloved 19 year old cat to be put to sleep a few months ago. She was senile and having painful crying/screaming episodes. We wanted it to be painless because she deserved it. Now, we are farm folk and have put down many animals in many ways over the years, but Magic was family and we wanted the best for her.
I never felt so lousy about being *chicken*. We insisted on being with her and holding her til the end. She did not just painlessly go. She threw up. She cried. She had spasms.
If we didn't *love * her so much, she would have gotten a shot in the head while walking in her woods and it would have been MUCH quicker and more painless than that injection. NO, DD and I couldn't have pulled the trigger, but we could have found someone who'd be willing- someone with no emotional attachment to her. It was *US* we were sparing the pain, not Magic.
So, that experience has changed my attitude about humane injections. If we are truly honestly looking at the best for the animal, we need to put our emotions aside and do the deed quickly: hatchet/bullet/broomstick get my vote.
I understand if you can't do the deed. Find someone unattached to your flock and ask the favor. It's not about us, it's about them.

 

[Boring Farm]

Wow... I have to say this has been a very eye opening experience for me. I have gone through every article members have posted. I've had a crash course on the responsibility that no one wants to think about... and I honestly hope you never have to.

But I have to agree on one thing.... It's about the chickens and a compassionate way to end their life, not my pain... at least not right now. Some know what it's like to put down a pet. According to psychologists, it's as hard as losing a loving family member or close friend, going through a divorce and losing a longtime job. This is how I feel... they are more than a farm tool, they are "family." We sold their eggs on a little stand in front of our farmhouse. They did their job and we benefited from it.

I'm sure this sounds stupid to some but my wife and I received so much joy sitting on the porch and watching the hens chase bugs across the lawn, watch a mother hen teach their chicks how to forage for food or laugh as they all squawked following us to an area and give them scraps. In a small flock, they have individual personalities and you get to know them especially when you protectively raise them from chicks.

I'm physically sick about all this... maybe I'm not cut out for the responsibility but ultimately, it was my responsibility and I feel angry at the unethical tactics that cost us dearly... and guilty because they didn't ask for all this.

Thanks again to all. I'll update you on the best way FOR ME.
Michael

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
From a very recent post on another website "I also found the articles about Mycoplasma interesting, as he talks about Tiammutin (Denagard) as an effective treatment
http://www.octagon-services.co.uk/articles/avian_mycoplasma.htm

http://www.octagon-services.co.uk/articles/mycoplasma_sensitivity.htm


Mycoplasma is present in 75% - 89% of ALL flocks, both commercial and private according to Dr. Scott Jones at the Baron Diagnostic Lab in Wisconsin. If you have bought birds from somewhere else or birds were previously raised on your property, it is highly likely that you have Mycoplasma in your birds. Most people never know it, as symptoms usually do not appear unless the flock is under stress. Common symptoms are decrease in egg production, also embyo and chick mortality (Mycoplasma can be transmitted via egg). Mycoplasma It is extremely hard to treat but Tiamulin (sold as Denagard) is a very effective antibiotic, especially against bacterial respiratory diseases. Denagard has the added advantage of having zero withdrawal period for eggs as it is unrelated to any antibiotic used in humans. You can read more about it here:

http://www.tiamutin.com/vet-poultry/firstchoice/en/protection.shtml

I ordered it from QC Supply. http://www.qcsupply.com/
I keep it on hand as an effective broad spectrum antibiotic that is available without Rx. It can also be used as a preventative against Mycoplasma. Dosage instructions;

Preventative is 8cc's to a gallon of water
Treatment is almost double the preventative dosage, 15cc's to a gallon of water.

Give as only water for 3-5 days, repeat in 3 weeks

If breeding for chicks with your birds, I would do the treatment dosage for the 5 days, then again in 3 weeks reduce dosage to 12cc per gallon. (Denagard given to breeding hens prevents transmission via egg)

Don't exceed the 15cc's to a gallon of water, it can harm kidneys. Denagard is bitter, if your birds won’t drink it add a bit of sugar to the water

Make sure you are not using medicated feeds. Chick starter with Amprolium in it IS SAFE to use with the Denagard, the Tiamutin site lists the drugs that are safe to use with it. You don’t want to use other antibiotics at the same time as antibiotics can be hard on the bird’s kidneys"

I've since read up on it; sounds very promising. And note that it is a bacteriacide.

 

[Katy]

they'reHISchickens :

Just my two cents here about "humane" injections.
DD and I took our beloved 19 year old cat to be put to sleep a few months ago. She was senile and having painful crying/screaming episodes. We wanted it to be painless because she deserved it. Now, we are farm folk and have put down many animals in many ways over the years, but Magic was family and we wanted the best for her.
I never felt so lousy about being *chicken*. We insisted on being with her and holding her til the end. She did not just painlessly go. She threw up. She cried. She had spasms.
If we didn't *love * her so much, she would have gotten a shot in the head while walking in her woods and it would have been MUCH quicker and more painless than that injection. NO, DD and I couldn't have pulled the trigger, but we could have found someone who'd be willing- someone with no emotional attachment to her. It was *US* we were sparing the pain, not Magic.
So, that experience has changed my attitude about humane injections. If we are truly honestly looking at the best for the animal, we need to put our emotions aside and do the deed quickly: hatchet/bullet/broomstick get my vote.
I understand if you can't do the deed. Find someone unattached to your flock and ask the favor. It's not about us, it's about them.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with putting your cat down. I think you need a different vet next time. I've had to have quite a few cats and a couple of dogs put down because of age or cancer and it hasn't ever been as you described.​

 

[heatherindeskies]

I'm very sorry you have to go through this, but please do what is fastest and most painless for the chickens. I agree with redhen. the broomstick method (or axe if you have a steady hand) is best. If you watched the youtube video, the movement after death is just nerves. the neck has been broken... messages of pain can no longer even get to the chicken's brain.
I just think freezing or gassing with any substance HAS to be frightening as the body gasps for air... I don't even know if there is scientific PROOF that animals are totally unconscious as the chemicals work to shut down the body. I would not put an animal through it without knowing for sure....
just my opinion. i think freezing or gassing is easier for the PERSON...just lock them in and walk away....but the harder thing for the person is to actively engage and quickly take the bird's life.
i hope this terrible task goes ok for you.

 

[lurky]

they'reHISchickens :

Just my two cents here about "humane" injections.
DD and I took our beloved 19 year old cat to be put to sleep a few months ago. She was senile and having painful crying/screaming episodes. We wanted it to be painless because she deserved it. Now, we are farm folk and have put down many animals in many ways over the years, but Magic was family and we wanted the best for her.
I never felt so lousy about being *chicken*. We insisted on being with her and holding her til the end. She did not just painlessly go. She threw up. She cried. She had spasms.
If we didn't *love * her so much, she would have gotten a shot in the head while walking in her woods and it would have been MUCH quicker and more painless than that injection. NO, DD and I couldn't have pulled the trigger, but we could have found someone who'd be willing- someone with no emotional attachment to her. It was *US* we were sparing the pain, not Magic.
So, that experience has changed my attitude about humane injections. If we are truly honestly looking at the best for the animal, we need to put our emotions aside and do the deed quickly: hatchet/bullet/broomstick get my vote.
I understand if you can't do the deed. Find someone unattached to your flock and ask the favor. It's not about us, it's about them.

That sounds like a vet that is an idiot. A good Vet front loads the needle with stuff to make the animal sleep before they inject the stuff to stop the heart. A good Vet will end the animals life Painless and peaceful.
I'm sorry.....but you should have never had to experience that