Shooting a rooster?

[igorsMistress]

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.

Wow, that’s sad.

 

[Matt416]

Wow, that’s sad.

What's sad?

 

[igorsMistress]

What's sad?

Your post, how the animals are put down based on your feelings toward them.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Again animals don't fear death. They also have no concept of time. Therefore, they don't want along life. They just want to be fine for the next hour. They have no concept of trying to stay alive for any extended period. As long as it is clean they don't mind.

 

[Matt416]

Again animals don't fear death. They also have no concept of time. Therefore, they don't want along life. They just want to be fine for the next hour. They have no concept of trying to stay alive for any extended period. As long as it is clean they don't mind.

Your post, how the animals are put down based on your feelings toward them.

I get that they are essentially lizards. There's no doubt. They don't feel love or anger or compassion. But they do feel fear. They hide from circling predatory birds and even airplanes. Is not fear just a self preservation response?
And some chickens are mean, some are overly skittish, and some are friendly.
The opinion that it's sad to feel compassion and respect when culling a retired laying hen... that's what's sad.
I grow my own meat from a beefer hogs, turkeys and chickens, I process them from fence to freezer. Livestock serves a purpose.
But to me, compassion isn't a negative trait.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

You are right. I also feel sympathy towards animals I cull. But that is a human response. Not animal.

 

[McChooky]

Nothing wrong with picking the more expensive route and giving our layers a peaceful death by a single shot to the head . Quiet (or supersonic) bullets don't disturb the other farm animals .Edit: Chicken caretakers that trap small game to protect their chickens use this type of ammo to quietly and humanely dispatch raccoons and possums.

 

[Klutch]

.22 is fine, just a bit overkill. A BB gun or pellet will do the deed even better.(less noise)
BANG vs pit.