The right gun placement to quickly kill a rooster?

[Hanttu]

Hello!

A first time chicken owner and we would have to cull two roosters soon.

I've read about humane ways to cull a chicken, but soon noticed that our country's animal welfare laws make those methods a bit difficult.

They require that

1. The person is familiar with killing the specific animal
2. The animal is stunned before killing

We don't have previous experience with culling and stunning in our case would mean a hit to the head with a blunt tool, which I don't feel confident about, in case the hit fails and the rooster is left to suffer for a few moments.

We have a friend who is familiar with shooting wild birds. From my understanding shooting (while not recommended as a first method) is accepted and doesn't need stunning, if done quickly.

However, I would like to be sure of what's the right position for the gun, so the bullet goes through the brainstem and brain. I've tried to look up pictures, but only found a bit cryptic explanations about setting the gun behind chicken's head.

Should it be placed between the eyes vertically or close to the ear horizontally? Does any of you have experience with this or possibly pictures to share?

I'm also open to taking advice about (humane) stunning in home environments and what are the best methods.

Thank you.

 

[DobieLover]

I used to have my birds shot for euthanasia. By the time they needed it, they were usually quite weak. It was done well after dark when the birds become much more docile and don't want to move around a lot. If your roosters are young and healthy and may get up, you will need to wrap them in an old towel to pin their wings to their bodies.

The bird was then carried to wherever they were to be euthanized, placed on their keel and their head was laid down on the ground. We used a long gun .22 and it was placed in contact with the base of the skull and aimed directly into the skull. It's over instantly.

If the wings are not secured, they will flap around for several seconds.

The person that currently helps me with my birds prefers to use a hatchet. He has a large flat block of wood with 2 nails driven into it that form a "V". The bird is positioned the same way, face down with the head on one side of the V and the body gently pulled back exposing the neck. He holds the bird by pinning the wings up high. Again, one quick chop and it's over.

I cannot euthanize my birds yet. I'm too attached and I've never killed an animal but have been lucky enough to have friends who can help me.