Shooting a rooster?

[Klutch]

I use a 22, but I don't use long rifle rounds I use bird shot in my 22. If you use long rifle rounds make sure you know want behind your target because 22 LR will travel.

 

[mote36]

Just whack it in the head with a broom handle which will knock it unconscious then slit the throat

 

[BatonRougeChick]

Thanks Klutch. Mote36, is that what you do? I might be able to handle that!

 

[donrae]

Honestly, I'd not waste the 22 ammo--at this point, it's far more valuable than the bird

My honey's dispatched birds with a pellet gun, you just have to be a very good shot. When he does it, they don't even flop around, they just drop. We let it lay for a few minutes to make sure it's dead, then hang it and cut the throat to bleed it out. He used a shotgun once on a rooster that attacked our then toddler--we weren't able to salvage much meat. None of us are at all anemic, and eating lead isn't fun

But, if you do decide to shoot him, a 22 would do just fine. Their heads are a small target, so you need to be a good shot, and have a good background if you miss. Head shots mean all your meat is intact.

 

[mote36]

Yes, I've done it to turkeys, and chickens that my grand father owned ( he's the one who showed me about it). Just take a real strong swift swing to the back of the head.

 

[chicken hawc]

I shot one of my roosters and sent him to the oven. He tasted just the same as any other rooster I had eaten. I couldnt catch him and he was very fast. I left him out over night and the next morning he unexpectedly was shot in the back of the head. I choose the back of the head because I didnt want to take any chance of the bullet entering the body, and you are guaranteed a clean kill.

 

[Klutch]

I shot one of my roosters and sent him to the oven. He tasted just the same as any other rooster I had eaten. I couldnt catch him and he was very fast. I left him out over night and the next morning he unexpectedly was shot in the back of the head. I choose the back of the head because I didnt want to take any chance of the bullet entering the body, and you are guaranteed a clean kill.

Awesome!
At .17 cents each per round wasn't that pretty uneventful, no chasing or running around.
Great looking dressed out bird.

 

[heather101]

I have 3 chickens and 2 roosters asked for all hens but ya no.... If I shot one, which he deserves trust me (he killed my fav.hen)will the other rooster still be aggressive .lm so done with rooster s help please

 

[Matt416]

A head shot would provide the cleanest kill.

Not necessarily.
It definitely depends on the type of ammo and the shot placement.
I hit a fully grown rooster with a CCI mini-mag hollow point out of a rifle. The round hit the rooster just behind it's eye. It did a back flip and ran away. It could still see and reacted like it could also hear. It eventually slowed down due to blood loss and I managed to kill it.
However, I've had great success with culling geriatric hens with CCI Quiet Segmented Hollow Points out of a pistol.. it's a very low velocity round, especially out of a 4.75" pistol barrel.
I suggest aiming at or slightly behind the chicken's ear for a clean kill.

 

[Matt416]

I can't believe anyone shoots a cockerel when they need to kill it.

My Husband has needed to put a few out of their misery and has always wrung their neck.

He's done this to our Rhode Island Red, Maran and another breed also.

Yes they do have strong necks but it is a quick way to end their suffering.

I would not try this with a goose though.

With old retired layers that are very personable, I want to make it as quick and comfortable for the old girl as possible.
Even swinging the axe seems to excite them, never mind putting hands on them. So I get them comfortable and relaxed and put a 22 right behind their ear.
Instantly drops them. No fuss, no last breaths drenched in fear. Just lights out and off to the great chicken coop in the sky.
Cockerels or overly aggressive roosters. No sympathy. Meat birds get the funnel.
But a hen that's produced and been friendly for years... I respect them.