Need help with putting hen down-edit it's done :(

[DTRM30]

Ok, I have my son's chicken who is paralyzed in one leg. She is fine otherwise - but there is no grip reflex or anything from this one leg. She can move it at the hip - but nothing more. Thought she had just had an injury so gave her time (almost 5 months now) to heal - but it's just not going to happen. It's now obvious that it's more than just a minor injury and more likely nerve/tendon damage that is unrepairable. She can't walk and living in a sling in the house is no way to live and I can't keep up the routine of cleaning poop off her behind b/c she either poops in the sling or falls out of it into the poop - plus it is not the best smelling thing in the house. She is also getting depressed being by herself.

I need a way to kill the chicken that does not involve a lot of blood - period - no exceptions. Remember - this is my son's chicken - and he's going to want to burry her. So a missing head and blood splatter just arent' going to work (may be the fastest way - but not the best for this situation).

I know many will just say he needs to learn to accept death and explain that it's best for the chicken - but we are talking about a boy who already has anxiety and sleep issues and is going to counseling - and who will NOT do well knowing her head was cut off.

We do not need to worry about bleeding out or tainted meat as we are NOT eating her.

I need to find a middle ground where it's not going to be traumatizing for my son - as well as humane for the chicken.

I do have a friend with a .22 that could shoot her - and that may end up being the way I go. Quick with minimal blood mess - and not drastically disfiguring.

Any suggestions ? And to be polite but stern, if you are going to say behead or slit throat regardless - it's just NOT going to happen so you don't need to post it.

My thoughts are this:
use a .22 to the head
Use an overdose of pain meds (have some leftover from a back injury and my other son's oral surgery - removal of two teeth for his braces) - but how much ? Do chickens metabolize it the same way as people ? or would she just feel a bit loopie for a while and that's it (I'm hoping she would just fall asleep and her muscles would relax to the point of her heart stopping)
Use a box with starting fluid soaked rags (ether)
Carbon monoxide.


I will not drown her - as that is just cruel and painful.

 

[CMV]

Cervical dislocation using the rake method involves no blood. Put a heavy rake down on the ground- head on one side of the tines, body on the other side. Grab her feet and yank upward hard while standing on the rake. It doesn't take much to break the neck, but you can't be squeamish when you pull. Some people use a broomstick to accomplish the same thing. Just step on a broomstick laid across her neck and yank on her feet.

Sorry you have to do this. Good luck.

 

[DTRM30]

Hmmm - good suggestion - Thanks

I was soooo hoping she would recover

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Euthanasia by a vet is a very humane way to do it and nobody has to do the dirty deed, I don't kno
w why nobody on here ever does it that way, I couldn't kill my own pet..........also I think that would be easier on your son, if my parents had shot or anything else to my pet as a kid I would have been tramatized....they even brought a parakeet to be euthanized when I was young......I know kids have to deal with life and death and it's a part of growing up, BUT it can be done in the least painful (for him) way possible, they just go to sleep and to me that is easier to deal with than a bullet to the head or wringing of the neck....I know I'm in the minority on this, I always am, but putting a pet down is an awful thing to have to do and I think it's the way to go, for me anyway...it sucks no matter how it's done, esp a young one

 

[wistlindixie]

I totally agree with the vet thing. If you can find one to do it. Since the chicken is a pet, I think the vet should do it. Have a burial. I am so sorry yall are faced with this. :-(

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Avian vets are very expensive and hard to find.

 

[briteday]

I use ether to euthanize chicks and hens around here because I can't deal with cutting heads off either. You can buy engine starter spray (almost pure ether) at any auto parts store or big stores in the auto section. Just spray some into a sandwich baggie, hold the baggie closed to let the fumes build up, then insert the hen's head into the baggie, and hold the baggie closed around the neck. The hen will go unconscious with the first breath, but it will take a minute or so until the heart stops beating. If all of this is too disturbing to watch you can cover it up with a towel until it's over with. (I've also euthanized little pocket pets like hamsters this way as well, for those of us with kids and the inevitable pets...)

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Quote:
Avian vets are very expensive and hard to find.

Any Vet can do it, doesnt have to be an avian vet, its just injecting the drug

 

[terrilhb]

I just want to say I am so sorry for what you and your son are going through. Lots of prayers and hugs to you both.

 

[DTRM30]

I could call around - not sure if any vets around here would be willing but can't hurt to find out.

If I can find one willing at a reasonable price that would probably be the best way for him ...
(They charged me around $200 for my dog quite a few years ago now but that included cremation - but he had tumors and was very old - and was starting to suffer - it was so sad - I know DH would not be willing to pay that for a chicken - $30 or so I could do)

I had read about the ether - but wasn't sure how long it took and if they freak out ....

Thanks - you guys are awesome .....