Is it too late for my Pekin and if so to do

[Isaac 0]

Yes please i cant let him continue to suffer as much as it hurts me i know hes hurting more and that i cant have! I dont know if you got the pictures i just sent

I did get the pictures. I think you're making the right choice putting him out of his misery, even though I know how hard it can be.

The methods I am going to suggest would be best performed by a man, or woman that is not afraid of killing living things. Having someone that is already emotional about ending the bird's life, and is afraid to do so is asking for problems to occur.

One method, and the one I use here the most, is to grab a log, and nail to nails in at V. Grab the duck, gently set its head in the bottom of the V, and do a quick chop with a very sharp ax. Other methods may include the "broomstick method", or cervical dislocation. I'll provide links regarding those two methods at the bottom of this post.

https://www.chickenfarmers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/CFC-Euthanasia-Guidelines.pdf
https://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/the-4-most-humane-ways-to-kill-a-backyard-chicken/
https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/301025.pdf

 

[melissamc]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I would say maybe the hawk damaged the spinal cord in the attack? I don't know if you saw the attack or not, but if so, do you know if he was dropped? We had a chicken attacked by a hawk (it was caught on video), and she fought back and he dropped her (but we couldn't tell the height). Luckily she landed on an old Christmas tree we had lying out to use on the fire pit so it cushioned her fall and did not kill her.
And we just had to euthanize my favorite chicken today, so I can appreciate the position you are in. I hope someone can tell you more definitively.

 

[Mamade84]

Thank you. No he wasn't dropped i dont think the hawk manged to get in the pen through a tear in the top fencing we hadn't noticed. I came out Peepers was already half eaten the hawk was just sitting there in front Quackers. he was already in shock i believe. I think the hawk just did serious damage when he got his eye bc that wa the only booboo he had. He started getting better after a day and a half so i thought he was on the mend and was going to make it.

 

[Mamade84]

I dont know if i have anybody to help me to do any of those methods. I read about a chamber you can make do you know if that method?

 

[Isaac 0]

I dont know if i have anybody to help me to do any of those methods. I read about a chamber you can make do you know if that method?

The chamber method may work with smaller birds but with bigger birds like this, it may take "too long" for it to actually work, and the bird may suffer in the process. I would suggest one of the methods above if you can.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

CO2 chambers are generally not suggested for larger animals (over about 2lbs as suggested by the AMVA, and this bird is clearly WAY over 2lbs) because they can cause a lot of suffering before the animal passes out and home made ones usually release the gas very slowly at that.

I strongly suggest you look into broomsticking or cervical dislocation. This can be done on your own and does not require help. You just have to follow through and be prepared to actually DO IT. It's physically easy but once you start you can't stop or the bird will suffer horribly so you have to be ready to follow through. If you do follow through, even if you mess up and have to start over it's a matter of several seconds or half a minute instead of potentially hours of severe pain if you quit half way. That's why people suggest delegating this task to someone less attached. Once you start you have to be determined to not stop.

Another option that's much messier but may be physically/mentally easier for you is to hang the bird upside down in a cone meant for processing birds for food and cut off their head with a pair of hefty and sharp branch loppers or kitchen shears. (Kitchen shears will take multiple cuts, about 3-4, like cutting through a cardboard box, but is still only about 3-4 seconds.)

Bear in mind whatever method you use the bird will probably thrash around a lot AFTER it is already dead. Death can be dramatic to witness.

 

[Mamade84]

I dont know if i have anybody to help me to do any of those methods. I read about a chamber you can make do you know if that method?

Someone also told me to put him in the freezer

CO2 chambers are generally not suggested for larger animals (over about 2lbs as suggested by the AMVA, and this bird is clearly WAY over 2lbs) because they can cause a lot of suffering before the animal passes out and home made ones usually release the gas very slowly at that.

I strongly suggest you look into broomsticking or cervical dislocation. This can be done on your own and does not require help. You just have to follow through and be prepared to actually DO IT. It's physically easy but once you start you can't stop or the bird will suffer horribly so you have to be ready to follow through. If you do follow through, even if you mess up and have to start over it's a matter of several seconds or half a minute instead of potentially hours of severe pain if you quit half way. That's why people suggest delegating this task to someone less attached. Once you start you have to be determined to not stop.

Another option that's much messier but may be physically/mentally easier for you is to hang the bird upside down in a cone meant for processing birds for food and cut off their head with a pair of hefty and sharp branch loppers or kitchen shears. (Kitchen shears will take multiple cuts, about 3-4, like cutting through a cardboard box, but is still only about 3-4 seconds.)

Bear in mind whatever method you use the bird will probably thrash around a lot AFTER it is already dead. Death can be dramatic to witness.

I dont want him to suffer but i am the only one who can end his suffering I have no one else to help me and i DONT want my kids to witness any of it. Someone recommended the freezer that he will just kinda fall asleep. That just doesnt sound right to me

 

[Isaac 0]

Someone also told me to put him in the freezer

I dont want him to suffer but i am the only one who can end his suffering I have no one else to help me and i DONT want my kids to witness any of it. Someone recommended the freezer that he will just kinda fall asleep. That just doesnt sound right to me

Do not put him, or any other living animal in a freezer for that matter.

Maybe you could make an ad on craigslist. Do you know any hunters, or butchers in your area? They may do it.

 

[melissamc]

Do not put him, or any other living animal in a freezer for that matter.

Maybe you could make an ad on craigslist. Do you know any hunters, or butchers in your area? They may do it.

The ad might be a good option. Or check FB to see if there are any local poultry groups you could join. Surely someone would be kind enough to help you (and the duck) out.

I saw another post on here about digging a hole, putting the animal in it and then shooting the head with a .22. My husband chose that method.

Also, I've been told that most vets will euthanize if you ask them to, regardless of whether or not they treat chickens or ducks. Not sure what that cost would be though.

I hope it works out. Good luck!

 

[Trisseh]

The only acceptable/humane methods of euthanasia for birds, for the layperson is decapitation or cervical dislocation, at least in Canada. I would definitely reach out to friends or post an ad as mentioned, or, as also mentioned, reach out to a local vet. Things get sticky for practices that handle a specific class of animal though so you may have to call around - companion animal hospitals often aren’t equipped/comfortable handling poultry, even for end of life.
I work at a rural large animal practice and we get a lot of calls for pet/backyard birds to end their suffering. It’s not easy, including for the vets and staff, but it’s the same as for other animals - we can humanely relieve them of suffering. Kudos to you for recognizing the declining quality of life and making an extremely difficult decision. I’m sorry this has happened to you and your duckies, and just know you’ve done what you could and are making the right choice for Quackers.