Hi, I’m new around here
I was hoping to get some members advice on the cervical dislocation method of euthanising chickens.
At this point it would only be for euthanasia of hopelessly sick/injured birds rather than butchering to eat.
I have done research on different methods and I think cervical dislocation is the method that I would be most comfortable doing, I wouldn’t be as confident with an axe or knife. I have never culled a bird before. I have taken some to the vet for euthanasia but I have a large flock and it’s pretty expensive & impractical compared to if I could humanely do it myself at home. I have a few specific questions, but any advice is appreciated
1. Broomstick method vs cervical dislocation device
In my research & video watching cervical dislocation is achieved utilising a broomstick/rebar/similar strong stick object. I also came across a device I could buy thats supposed to do the same thing. I have attached the link to that below & a couple photos from the site. Has anyone used something similar to this before? Did it work well? How would it compare to the broomstick method?
https://chookmanor.co.nz/products/humane-poultry-culler?_pos=1&_sid=7443575d6&_ss=r
2. Does this method work well on very small birds? E.g. OEGBs which mine are only half a kg/ approx 1 pound. I guess I am worried since they are so much smaller the dislocation might not occur in the correct place behind the head. Maybe something thinner like metal rebar rather than a broomstick would work better?
3. Any tips for a newbies first time?
I have watched videos of this method and feel comfortable with how to do it, and there’s nothing worse to me than an unnecessarily suffering animal, but I’m going to be very nervy the first time actually doing it.. I feel like if I can do the first one successfully it won’t be as stressful.
Also, I wasn’t sure if this came across as there are birds presently needing to be culled - there are none that need euthanising at present so there is no time pressure.
Thanks in advance
I was hoping to get some members advice on the cervical dislocation method of euthanising chickens.
At this point it would only be for euthanasia of hopelessly sick/injured birds rather than butchering to eat.
I have done research on different methods and I think cervical dislocation is the method that I would be most comfortable doing, I wouldn’t be as confident with an axe or knife. I have never culled a bird before. I have taken some to the vet for euthanasia but I have a large flock and it’s pretty expensive & impractical compared to if I could humanely do it myself at home. I have a few specific questions, but any advice is appreciated
1. Broomstick method vs cervical dislocation device
In my research & video watching cervical dislocation is achieved utilising a broomstick/rebar/similar strong stick object. I also came across a device I could buy thats supposed to do the same thing. I have attached the link to that below & a couple photos from the site. Has anyone used something similar to this before? Did it work well? How would it compare to the broomstick method?
https://chookmanor.co.nz/products/humane-poultry-culler?_pos=1&_sid=7443575d6&_ss=r
2. Does this method work well on very small birds? E.g. OEGBs which mine are only half a kg/ approx 1 pound. I guess I am worried since they are so much smaller the dislocation might not occur in the correct place behind the head. Maybe something thinner like metal rebar rather than a broomstick would work better?
3. Any tips for a newbies first time?
I have watched videos of this method and feel comfortable with how to do it, and there’s nothing worse to me than an unnecessarily suffering animal, but I’m going to be very nervy the first time actually doing it.. I feel like if I can do the first one successfully it won’t be as stressful.
Also, I wasn’t sure if this came across as there are birds presently needing to be culled - there are none that need euthanising at present so there is no time pressure.
Thanks in advance
