So I knew this time will come eventually and it's finally here. We will have to kill the gander. I don't want to see him struggle or put on a fight. Is there any way to put him to sleep or make him pass out? Do the human pills work? Any advice would be appreciated.
What seems to be kind is often not actually kind, often it's merely more aesthetically comforting for us rather than more merciful to the animal. Decapitation when done by an experienced person is instant and the animal won't know what's happened, and won't suffer. If blood goes everywhere but the animal is instantly dead, this is uglier but better than when not a drop is spilled but the animal does not die instantly. For a first cull I strongly recommend you get an experienced person in to help. I would not give an animal pills formulated for our species, as the effects on the animal are often unknown and may be terrible. If you know for sure it'll kill him instantly, then why not. But I personally don't know of any drugs like that. Doubtless though there are some and someone would know. If he's used to being handled, it's far kinder on the animal than if he's never handled. It really does help to have them used to settling under the human touch. If he's not, then quick as possible is kindest. Again, best with someone experienced. Catch, restrain, position, cull. It can all be over in a few seconds if the person is experienced enough. If you have someone steady and strong enough with a hand axe, or even full sized axe, and someone steady enough to hold the animal down, also works. Breaking the neck is another instant option but I would not recommend you try on a full grown goose for the first time. If you don't want to eat the meat, you could poison him with something rapidly fatal, but that's not really too kind, at least not via any of the things I'm thinking you could use for that. Someone else will have a helpful suggestion, I'd bet. It all comes down to whether or not you want to use his meat, in the end, even if we disregard humane solutions (which personally I wouldn't). But, best wishes with your dilemma.
Other than using an axe and especially having someone experienced, I would recommend a vet, call around and ask prices or maybe the vet you use might help you. So sorry it's come to this point but I tell you we've had to humanely put down a few of our hens and decapitation is to me the only way to go if doing it yourself. What is going on with your gander?
Get the gander and put a sock notting else over his head down to the neck so he wont be frightened and put him down and grab a long metal strong stick or wood and put it gently on the neck of the gander and make sure its not too close to the head and the gander must be sitting oviously when doing this and his neck straight out and then put left foot at one side of the sick and right at the other side and then put one foot one one side of the bar and this parts important! Next when on foots on the bar you have to jump and stamp as hard as you can on the stick and stay on the stick for about 15 seconds
