UPDATE: Please tell me the humane thing to do.

[Pampered Chicken]

If you research isn't there something about putting them in a container and using bakeing soda and vingear. (or something like that)

 

[Sunny Side Up]

It seems that freezing is a method that's easier on the executioner than on the candidate. Cervical dislocation is certainly quicker & more humane, but can be upsetting to the executioner having to handle fuzzy wriggling chicks that way. I've settled on decapitation for chicks, and have found a way that makes it effective for the chick & bearable for me.

I first dig a deep narrow hole at the drip line of a bush. Then I take a sharp pair of shears/scissors & the chick wrapped with a paper towel out to the hole. It's even better to do this after dark. I locate the chick's neck through the paper towel and cut right through it, then let both pieces drop into the hole. There may be a spot of blood on the scissors to wipe/wash off. But the chick Crosses The Road instantly and feels no more pain.

But buried by the bush the body continues to nourish its growth and in that way, continues to live.

 

[Carenm]

I am sorry you even have to think about this. I am not sure there is a word as humane way. It's all just awful.

Hugs and good luck

 

[Rock Wyandotte]

I had to do this just last week. It's not fun. I use my little hatchet that I chop kindling with. It just seems the quickest and most painless for the chick. I've done it a few times now and though it's never easy, I think you'll feel right about it after it's over. At least I do. Hope this helps.

 

[txchickie]

Recently I had my husband put down a little feed store chick I'd bought that just wasn't thriving. I didn't want to know how was going to "do it", but after it was done I asked him and he said he pulled swiftly on the head and could feel the "pop", and it was done.

 

[Kevin75]

I sadly had to do this with one of our peeps. We'd had two die the slow miserable way (struggling in the brooder) so I acted more proactively with the third one. I placed it on the ground outside, and used a garden spade to quickly do the deed. The peep was so sick that it didn't even move on the ground, so it was pretty simple. It was, however, very hard to watch it afterwards because of the muscle spasms. I'd recommend using the spade quickly, and then walking away for a few minutes. You might even want to use the "dig a hole method" first so that you only have to cover it with dirt later.

Sorry you have to face this. We had 3 die in our first batch. One was basically DOA, though he lasted about an hour. One lasted most of the first day, and I put down the third one the following day. After watching the first two expire, I could see the writing on the wall. Fortunately the remaining 24 are all quite vigorous and healthy. Yay!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I had a full grown hen die on my last week - If I had a hatchet, I would have done it myself just due to the overwhelming pain she was in when she passed. I never thought that being the biggest animal fan in the world I woudl do this, but if I had a choice, I woudl go with the hatchet. Quick, painless and over swiftly for the poor thing.

 

[bel]

I've had to do this with critically injured mice and a budgie who was suffering and would not survive a vet trip, its CO2 euthanasia and doesn't sting or feel cold like the dry ice version:

Supplies:
1 box baking soda
1 jug white vinegar
plastic container with tall sides (like a medium -- large critter keeper, or a big mayo jar)
towel
Glass liquid measuring cup, or coffee cup
Large plastic bag that wont leak
small hose (I rob the one off my fishtank vaccuum)



Take plastic container and add something soft inside, this is where the chick will go so make her comfortable, put in the bird.
Place folded towel over top. Place one end of the hose in the container.

Take plastic bag, pour half a jug vinegar inside, then fill measuring cup 3/4 full with baking soda. Set measure cup gently in the bag but dont tip it into the vinegar.

put other end of those hose in the bag and wrap with tape or just hold it tight.

grab the side of the bag and tip a bit of the bakingsoda into the vinegar, the bag will fill with CO2 fast, squeeze it gently into the tube so it goes into the plastic chamber, 30% is anesthetic

Chick will pass out, then pour more bakingsoda in the vinegar bag and flood the chamber with a higher concentration of gas to euthanize. Leave towel on top for a while, the gas is heavier than oxygen and will stay in.

Its kinder than freezing, and you dont have to chop their head off. It seems easiest on the birds because how efficient their lungs are, the little budgie shut his eyes immediately. I want to add this is nt for animals over 2lb ever.

 

[MuranoFarms]

If the chick is only a few days old: get a bucket or extra large tupperware with an airtight lid. Container (like a margarine tub) for baking soda. Put the bird in the bottom, put the baking soda container in also. Dump vinegar into the baking soda and close the lid for at least a few minutes!

An older bird, use the broomstick method.

Don't freeze them, that's just cruel.

I'm sorry you have to do this.

I just went through it a few days ago. I know how you feel.

 

[quackcrazy]

why couldn't you put the chicken in a box with a hose attached to your car exhaust pipe ?? the poor thing should fall asleep and no more pain ...