I need humane ways to euthanize chicks

[sbarab]

Has anyone ever tried placing it into the freezer? They should just goto sleep.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I've heard that some animal right's activist groups recommend this method as one of the most humane ways for chicks- place them inside a small box and leave that in your freezer. The chicks body temperature will drop and it will fall asleep until it eventually passes. Then you take the box out and bury it/dispose of it how you will.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

But wouldn't they feel the extreme cold before falling asleep?

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
I really can't imagine freezing would be a very nice way to go. Being terribly cold and alone, doesn't seem very humane.

 

[Katy]

With the starter fluid/ether they just go to sleep and don't wake up.

 

[kimb]

I'm sorry for the poor little chick

... I recently found myself in a similar position and too couldn't "physically" cull her either ...

Simple/quick way is to put it in a container/box sealed up fairly well - with a small hole - either use a tube or hold it close to the exhaust of your car - the carbon monoxide will put her to sleep in seconds and to death shortly after. (really no longer than a minute).

wishing your little one a speedy passing where she will be pain free.

 

[fiberart57]

I agree with everyone that physically doing the act of dispatching a suffering animal is truly a miserable thing but from my perspective it was something I had to learn to do so I could a responsible owner. And it took me some truly nightmarish self-talks to learn to do this.

For me, the extra time spent collecting the necessary ingredients for the "painless" way of dispatch while an animal is in pain and suffering would haunt me more than the actual deed. Too many time to count I have intervened and either cut off a head or taken an object and hit them over the head hard enough for instant death just to put a stop to needless misery.

Then it becomes my turn to suffer. I cry. I rail against the unfairness of life that chooses to leave some things whole while others suffer. I mourn the loss of a friend. What helps me is thinking that my mental anguish replaces the suffering that the animal would have had if I hadn't intervened.

I have found that the best way is to go on "auto-pilot" and just do it. Just do it. Then while I'm crying I ask for a blessing for the little life force that left.

Sorry if I sound sanctimonious and/or too emotional.

Mary

 

[wood&feathers]

Thanks to those who posted the CO2 method links. That seems like a godsend in difficult times.

That said, hypothermic methods have merit. As someone who has personally experienced several different "flavors" of hypothermia, it doesn't seem cruel. Hypothermia induced pain comes as you start to warm back up. Onset is much more ambiguous. What is scary is how PAINLESS it can be - suddenly you or your partner are making nonsensical decisions and slurring their speech. You get dumb, you get sleepy, go to sleep and don't wake up... Pretty universal across the animal kingdom.

The water thing sounds grim. If you immerse them over their head you are drowning them, not chilling. Now if the water was warm at the start, and one could just gradually chill it...

 

[redhen]

break its neck OR as someone else said use sharp scissors... its over in an instant...
So sorry about your chick...

 

[redhen]

please please please do not put it in the freezer...the most humane way is to cut off the connection to the brain..hence the broken neck or snip the head off..
its harder on US...but better for the chick...