Looking for the best way to euthanize

[eggchel]

Some people put a bird to "sleep" using ether (in the form of automotive starter fluid) soaked on a paper towel and put in a bucket with a tight fitting lid (or ice chest) with the chicken. The container should be just big enough to comfortably hold the bird. It is supposed to put them to "sleep" in 5 or 10 minutes at the most. Obviously, you should use caution not to breath the fumes.

I dont think that this method is recommended for those who will be eating the birds.

I use a machete.


Chel

 

[Ace_king_brahma]

I've never killed (at least not on purpose) any of my birds. I've always given them away if they were a problem and someone else was more suited to take on a problem bird. But, lately I have a trouble silkie. She has strong cannibal tendancies and killed her sister, got the flock to gang up on my poor EE and nearly killed her and is starting on the ducks and game chickens poking their sides up. SHe has this....look on her when she does it she hunches up and actually "hunts" after the other birds. I seperated her and giving her a chance. If she does not outgrow this behavior which I fear she won't she has a date with the soup bowl.

 

[silkiechicken]

The key to any "beheading" even the guiltoene... is to make sure the blade is SHARP.

I too am often wary off rehoming because I would hate for a "mean" rooster to cause damage to another flock or worse a young person in a family who doesn't recognize the danger, or to be used for other purposes which cannot be spoken of.

I am glad the vet can do the deed for you. Best of luck with a future roo if you chose to get another one. They are not all mean.

I personally use a knife.

 

[Cetawin]

I have had to euthanize pet rats and the easiest way was to use halothane or isoflurane on a cottonball.

I placed the anesthesia on the cottonball, placed it in the bottom of a baby food jar and stuck the rat's nose near the jar opening...as the rat got sleepy, I moved the rat closer into the jar and just held them there for about 5 minutes. Just as a precaution, I would leave the rat with the head in the jar for about 15 minutes after it was fully asleep, just to make sure it was gone.

My vet gave/sold me a small bottle for that purpose. I would think some sort of anesthesia like that placed with the bird in a cooler or something with a tight sealing lid would work. It is truly painless...they just go to sleep and are basically overdosed on the anesthesia while they sleep.

If you are burying him the anesthesia would not be a problem.

Good luck and you are making the right decision is this roo is overly aggressive.

 

[ChickenWendy]

A single bullet works wonders. I couldnt do the beheading so my husband shot my bad rooster about 3 months ago. It's tough but when you have an animal that is mean not only to his feathered females as well as to your household then it's not worth the stress in my opinion to keep them. I have friends that just butchered their mean rooster and had some fried chicken. Anyway, i feel for you, but understand. As for re-homing him - why would you pass on your problem to someone else - it's very difficult to rehabilitate a mean rooster - again, my opinion! I hope it goes ok for you. And I hope it doesnt stop you from having another rooster. I still have 2. I wish they would stay nice. I love the roosters - So beautiful and regal. The hens are good for eggs, but the roosters have character! That's the main reason i have chickens - for the roosters and the babies!

 

[Dixiedoodle]

We have hunters in our family, so I would just have them do the deed. If they can kill dove, quail and turkey they could easily take care of the roo.

I agree, I would NEVER rehome any animal--fur or fowl that was aggressive! Dixie

 

[Nichole77]

I would so love to cull bad people. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to say, "yea he's mean and we don't want to pass on a problem so it's best to put him down." And I am so serious about that. Sorry you have to get rid of him, it's a hard choice, but you do what you gotta do.

 

[brettnreno]

Quote:
Ok Hitler.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Debbie, you've made a good decision about a problem roo. I've owned/encountered enough gentlemen roos to have little tolerance for any unmannerly ones. You don't want to wait until they've maimed or bloodied any other bird, animal, or child that you love before you decide to put them out of your/their misery.

You were considerate not to try to re-home him anywhere else. Some folks lead with their hearts & not their heads and will give any aggressive animal a chance to live -- and hurt something else.

But for anyone who hasn't yet butchered chickens for meat, I would advise having someone else do the beheading, if the chop block is the decision. It can take practice & the right tool to do the job neatly & quickly. It would also add to the owner's guilt, if they were already sad about having to dispatch a mean roo, if they couldn't finish it with one stroke.

I'd also be careful giving/selling aggressive roos for meat to anyone I didn't know personally. I wouldn't mind if they were going to eat it themselves, but sometimes folks will use roos, esp. feisty ones, to train/bait fighting cocks or fighting dogs.

If you lived near me I'd be glad to help you by dispatching your roo for you, and help you dig a deep hole in which to plant him if you wanted.

I'm also interested in the ether/automotive starter fluid method of home euthanasia. I cannot afford any vet fees for euthanizing a chicken, but I would like to learn a more gentle method if ever I have a dear sick/injured hen.

I'm not yet to the place where I could eat the old girls, though I understand & respect those who do.

 

[catfish]

As a kid we'd just grab their feet, hold em upside down. Step on their neck and pull.

Dead chicken.................

One reason I will not name our birds, they're eventually going to be in the freezer. Its livestock. Made to be eaten.

Personally I'd just cut off its head, I've had to put down lots of dogs and cats, one shot to the base of the head. That would be overkill for a rooster.