No home for rooster

[SlyReb]

Broomstick method is my preference. Fast, nearly foolproof when done right, AVMA approved.

Get a stiff stick, like a broom.
Take bird to somewhere with firm, flat ground (not soggy yard, doesn't work well at all).
Hold bird by the legs, gently lower head until he calms. I hold near the hocks with my left hand.
With the bird belly-down, lower him so that his head and neck are on the ground, facing away from you.
Lay stick over his neck, just behind his skull.
Step one foot on one side of the stick, then quickly step the other one on the other side and pull straight upwards on the legs. You will feel the head 'pop' apart from the neck. At that point, you can either stop and let the bird go through its death flapping, or you can continue pulling to take the head clean off, and let him bleed out. I typically do that and quickly try to grab the wings with one hand where they meet the body, to control the spray.

You can search YouTube and find a video showing the procedure.

Sorry, I’m trying to navigate the Reply process, so if I posted a blank I’ll try to remove it.
This was exactly what I was looking for! You hit on all of my issues. The last being the most pertinent. I have nine chickens and will have more and I need to be able to shepherd them through their passing in a humane and respectful way, regardless of what I intend to do with them afterwards. Frightening the bird is bad for everyone involved and can taint the meat, I hear.
I don’t trust myself with an ax and a flailing animal.
I could not bring myself to swing one over my head.
I don’t want to waste ammo.

So I will probably look for video instruction on how to calmly and quickly wring the neck effectively while holding my chicken in my arms. It will be a merciful and respectful goodbye because, even if they go on my table, I appreciate them.
Thank you for your insight.

 

[SlyReb]

I second the broomstick method. VERY easy and least gruesome for a first time euthanizer (if that is a word). Aart posted this video in a previous thread. It is the video I learned by.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-culling-method.1213032/#post-19332212
It is post #10 within the thread.

Thank you so much for sharing this video. References to the broomstick method sounded so gruesome but this was one of the quietest videos I’ve ever seen! I want to be this lady when I get older.
Thanks again.

 

[Mosey2003]

So I will probably look for video instruction on how to calmly and quickly wring the neck effectively while holding my chicken in my arms. It will be a merciful and respectful goodbye because, even if they go on my table, I appreciate them.
Thank you for your insight.

I have tried it by hand, and there's just something about holding their heads that really creeps me out, that's why I use the stick.

 

[Morrigan]

You've gotten some really excellent advice here. The only two things I would add is, first, if you know of any other chicken keepers in your area, you might ask around to see if anyone has had experience in culling chickens and, if so, ask if they could come over to help you the first time.

Second, to avoid a rodeo in which you try to catch the rooster in the yard, I would remove him from the roost the night before and confine him in a ventilated box or dog carrier, and put him in a quiet place, until you are ready to do the deed. DH and I even dispatched one rooster at night, so as to do the deed while the chicken was basically asleep.

Let us know how it goes. It is not easy the first time, but it is an important task to learn if you keep chickens, and admire you for not wanting to waste the food he will provide.

 

[bigz1983]

I hang the chicken upside down from its legs with rope(use a slip knot)from a tree branch....
Then shoot it in the head with a 22 long rifle...

 

[Henanigan]

A broom stick??. How sad

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A broom stick??. How sad

Can you provide a better method? And have you seen the video?

 

[Col1948]

I did see a clip where a guy held the chicken under his arm then held just under the head and he pulled the head forward stretching the neck, he said it break the spinal cord and the chicken then feels no pain, it was quick.

 

[SlyReb]

I’m very conflicted. Today I watched him put himself between the dog (In a pen) and the free-ranging chickens to keep them safe. I really really don’t want a rooster but he was so young and doing such a good job.

 

[BamaBayFarm]

Tie legs and thick rubber band with two nails on log stretch neck and hatchet old school. left hand holds feet right hatched blows down.