kindest way to cull 3 hens :o(

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

so I have 3 hens who have been sneezing and been seperated from the flock for 2 weeks now. still sneezing a bit but also found out its one of them who has been plucking the rest of the girls bald.
so im at a cross roads here and think that culling is my best option here.I dont want to introduce them back into my flock but also cant eat them. I need the hubby to cull them with no mess or fuss, The kids will be very sad so the less mess the better. We dont plan on eating them so whats the best way to do this. My friend said she would take them but I cant let her due to the sneezing thing..

Help me thru this please I feel sooo sad.. I do love them

 

[chicmom]

When the kids aren't around, just take those hens out back and, with a very sharp hatchet, shop off their heads. Very quick. They will flap around a bit. You can restrain them and cover their eyes while doing it.......Quick.......

It's not pleasant, and I'm so sorry......

 

[Break an Egg]

My husband uses starter fluid

He soaks some rags in it and puts the rags and the chicken in a storage tote and puts the lid on.

 

[BarkerChickens]

The hatchet or machete to the neck is the quickest...like Chicmom said, they will flap, but it is due to muscle spasms...not pain as communication from the brain to the body has been severed.

 

[Lollipop]

Quote:
As far as humane is concerned, the hatchet, machete, or ax is QUICK. Do it as far away from where the kids frequent as possible and rake up the blood, or better yet, explain to the kids that the birds are sick and will make the other birds sick and this has to be done. Make them part of the experience and keep them calm and in the loop. Farm life prepares kids for real life........Pop

 

[sgtmom52]

Do you know what is wrong with them ~ why they are sneezing? Maybe it isn't serious enough to cull for.

 

[Wendy'sChicksRock]

Quote:
Its been on going for a few weeks have treated them with meds and kept them seperate. but like my op says.. They have plucked my other hens bald.. and I do mean bald to the point they may never regrow the feathers on their bums. add the two together and what are my options. Sneezing feather eaters cant be good.I have a few really nice BLRW's from fowleys that I paid a lot for and they are now looking like I got them from the free bin at a swap meet ( for the last few weeks they have started to get their feathers back thank goodness but the other may not... so this leads me to believe its these 3 hens who are doing it.. ALL three of them are almost bald on their bottoms, not a tail feather in site as they have been together and picking eachother constantly.

 

[Cetawin]

Sneezing.....constantly? Nasal discharge? Are they eating and drinking normally, etc etc. I would put the matter in the illness section, read the sticky on that forum and answer those questions.

sneezing does not always indicate illness. If you need to cull...use the sharp axe or hatchet method..it is quick.

 

[Funsizeracing]

Quote:
Please tell me your not serious?

 

[sgtmom52]

Quote:
Please tell me your not serious?

I have not used this method ~ however starter fluid is ether which was used as anesthesia in humans for a long time. You are basically them to sleep forever.