Okay... this post may get people mad....but, what is the best way

[KellyGwen]

I think this is a very valid question... The more informed we are before a situation occurs the better prepared we are for what we have to do.

The thing is... I think you are looking for a pleasant way to do an unpleasant thing. There is no way to happily kill something. There is no fear-free or painless way to end their life. They will be scared, they might feel pain, and they will die. BUT if you are killing them to end long-term suffering then that quick pain is MUCH BETTER than lingering on. Think of it like ripping off a bandaid.

I have shot severely injured animals on the side of the road. I've even bashed the head of a snake in with a rock because it was suffering after being hit by a car and that's all I had available...

I used to raise mice to feed my reptiles (used to breed lizards and snakes). I fed my snakes "frozen-thawed" mice... not live. But that meant that I had to take the babies when they reached the size I wanted a kill them. Luckily I worked for a doctor and had access to dry ice. I would put the babies in a bowl/nest in a small fish tank and put the dry ice in a separate container in the fish tank. I would then pour water onto the ice and seal the lid of the tank. The dry ice released CO2 and suffocated the mice. They gasped a little, then "fell asleep", this method was recommended by the ASPCA.

Now the little "pinkies" who were used to being covered by their mother and litter-mates didn't breathe deeply enough for the dry ice to work. So for those I would again, make them a comfy bed of paper towels and then I would put them in the freezer. Because they were so small it was quick and they would just "fall asleep" with their litter mates.

If I had to euthanize a small chick I think that I would freeze them as opposed to bashing their heads. For a larger chicken, I think the tried and true of chopping their heads off or slitting their throats would be the kindest. I don't have access to the dry ice anymore!

I've always felt that it is my job as an animal owner to assume the responsibility for the unpleasantness and pain that is inevitable in life. It is my job to keep my animals as happy as possible and to decide when their quality of life is not going to improve and it is time for them to go.

It sucks... but that's life.

I know you'll do the right thing

I can tell you love your chickens.

Sorry I rambled!!!!

 

[jenjscott]

Go to ebay and search for chicken dispatcher. Comes in hand held or wall mount, I am not connected to these products in any way. they are from Australia.

 

[hcammack]

I agree with Missprissy that is the best and most humane way to but a small chick down I don't like the idea of throwing them against stuff that is really screwed up. For larger chicken quick neck break of chopping the head off is best.

Henry

 

[leokat75]

Ok, I had to do this myself. I was one of the unfortunate people who got sick chicks early this spring. I had to put not one, but three down. It didn't easier, but I guess in a way it did.

First of all I will share my rough first attempt. Snapping or wringing the neck didn't work as well with the chick as it does with full size birds. I think it is too cartlidge and not brittle enough OR I just wasn't strong enough mentally or physically. I had the back up plan right at hand so not to prolong the situation.

The quickest, and for me what seemed best, is the scissor method that others have mentioned. I used my heavy meat bone cutting scissors and it was clean and complete in one quick second. I held it, prepared myself, put it in a bag before hand, did the deed, wrapped it up and disposed of it. I didn't have to look at it after the deed. The head came clean off in one quick cut, no question it died instantly, but it still "twitched", so be prepared for that it doesn't mean you didn't do it right.

Kat

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

thank goodness my barn owner has a farmer friend that will do this for me. If one of my chicks should need to be euthanized though I will put it in the freezer.

 

[redhen]

Thanks so much EVERYONE for all the advice and wise words....i really appreciate them all....and since reading these posts..i really do feel that IF i had a chicken in pain or suffering...i really feel that i could do it...if i didnt..and let it suffer...i KNOW it would haunt me forever because you are soooo right...when we take on these pets..we HAVE to be willing to do what needs to be done...and its cruel not to help them just because i am a sissy....you guys have NO idea how much the (kind and true) words you have said in this post have helped me....i am still trying to save my girl...making her a gruel...with raw egg....and her crop IS filling up...i am also giving her those vitamins i have read alot of you guys give to them(poly-vis-sol)...its eating the hard food that seems to be the problem...but as long as she is eating the gruel and her crop is getting full..i'm gonna keep trying(even if it is forever)....if she looses the will to eat...i will have to put her down..thanks SO much.

...Wendy

 

[ml]

Ok so what is so wrong with the chick that it needs to be put down?

ML

 

[redhen]

well..she dosent need to be put down right now....i
m trying very hard to save her..

...but basically i asked this question because..once i started to think about.."what if"..i had to put her down?..i started to worry..how would i do it?..etc...thanks, Wendy