What do you do when your cull attempt fails..

[ChickyCh00k]

Cervical dislocation, or if you want to be more hands off, the method in the article below is just as quick and painless (and more foolproof) for the animal and the human. The author explains everything clearly.

https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2017/06/the-easiest-way-to-cull-chicken.html?m=1

It is best to have a clear plan in your head before it is necessary. I don't think it is the time to be experimenting with different methods that aren't a "sure thing" while the chicken suffers (and you do as well).

 

[MamaPoult]

I found this website about gassing for you, it's not the one I used originally, this one explains properly how to make the carbon dioxide.
I'm pretty sure it didn't work with these girls because I didn't have it airtight enough and didn't use enough vinegar. It does suggest using muriatic acid, over here it's called hydrochloric acid which I have heaps of

https://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

Ahh, very cool! Thanks for taking the time to post that for me. I'll take a peek!

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

Maybe she will pull through... Hopefully.

It's 10am fri.. 1° last night, I open them up around 9am when the sun has warmed the outside of their house which is an xxxl dog crate covered with cardboard an plastic feed bags and tarps over top (can't afford a coop, not quite enough materials to build one yet) but it's really warm in there. Anyway other than a bit of dew on her neck and back she's resting comfortably.
She had done a bit of vomiting through the night but I'd say it's from resting her head over the edge of the litter box I've turned into a nest. It's low enough so she can nibble the food I dropped in front of her and she can reach the water attached to the crate door.
She tried one tiny speck of their hot mash, but no more. I'll mix some egg yolk and honey and try syringing it in. Her poops no longer yellow, but still watery. I held her up so she could stretch her legs. Didn't try to use her wings for balance as much this time. She knows I care about her.
If she pulls through I'll take them both out to the sanctuary as planned.

If she goes downhill tonight, it's meant to be -1, after the frost this morning it's only 8° now, was meant to be 10° by now. I think tonight is going to be at least -2

For the record..
Anyone with a chicken in pain where they struggle to move.. paracetamol 200mg or paracodeine 500mg works. I've done some more research and no more than a few days won't harm them at 500mg. And 1500mg paracodeine will not kill them

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

Cervical dislocation, or if you want to be more hands off, the method in the article below is just as quick and painless (and more foolproof) for the animal and the human. The author explains everything clearly.

https://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2017/06/the-easiest-way-to-cull-chicken.html?m=1

It is best to have a clear plan in your head before it is necessary. I don't think it is the time to be experimenting with different methods that aren't a "sure thing" while the chicken suffers (and you do as well).

Thanks, I'll save that link.

I've used the gas method a few times, and I accept that it was my error not having the gas chamber sealed properly, it wasn't until id already closed it I could smell the carbon dioxide forming. The second mixture was because I didn't want to have them 'nearly dead' and suffer as you said. She's pain free at the moment but still not well and very weak.
Being Friday, it's a busy day for me so I'm keeping her fluids up, with egg yolk, honey & cinnamon. At least if she's got that, she can relax without hurting. I've got a market tomorrow morning so if she makes it through another colder night, she will be on her own with her sister until I get home.
I'm just thankful the rain has stopped.

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

Ahh, very cool! Thanks for taking the time to post that for me. I'll take a peek!

You're welcome.
When I gassed the babies that had to be done, I used a 10 litre stock post which has a breather hole in the lid (didn't know it needed one at the time) and it was really fast. I had time to close the lid, put a towel over it cos it's glass and turn the jug on to make a coffee (priorities). There was a little scratching of feathers and feet, which having read lots of info first, I knew they were dead. I still left them (4 in total over a month) for 15-20 mins, to rest in peace before I buried them.
It really does work, it was me that failed to seal the chamber properly, and I own it

 

[Themellowyellows]

It's 10am fri.. 1° last night, I open them up around 9am when the sun has warmed the outside of their house which is an xxxl dog crate covered with cardboard an plastic feed bags and tarps over top (can't afford a coop, not quite enough materials to build one yet) but it's really warm in there. Anyway other than a bit of dew on her neck and back she's resting comfortably.
She had done a bit of vomiting through the night but I'd say it's from resting her head over the edge of the litter box I've turned into a nest. It's low enough so she can nibble the food I dropped in front of her and she can reach the water attached to the crate door.
She tried one tiny speck of their hot mash, but no more. I'll mix some egg yolk and honey and try syringing it in. Her poops no longer yellow, but still watery. I held her up so she could stretch her legs. Didn't try to use her wings for balance as much this time. She knows I care about her.
If she pulls through I'll take them both out to the sanctuary as planned.

If she goes downhill tonight, it's meant to be -1, after the frost this morning it's only 8° now, was meant to be 10° by now. I think tonight is going to be at least -2

For the record..
Anyone with a chicken in pain where they struggle to move.. paracetamol 200mg or paracodeine 500mg works. I've done some more research and no more than a few days won't harm them at 500mg. And 1500mg paracodeine will not kill them

Is she still breathing hard?

 

[MamaPoult]

You're welcome.
When I gassed the babies that had to be done, I used a 10 litre stock post which has a breather hole in the lid (didn't know it needed one at the time) and it was really fast. I had time to close the lid, put a towel over it cos it's glass and turn the jug on to make a coffee (priorities). There was a little scratching of feathers and feet, which having read lots of info first, I knew they were dead. I still left them (4 in total over a month) for 15-20 mins, to rest in peace before I buried them.
It really does work, it was me that failed to seal the chamber properly, and I own it

That's very interesting! Thanks for the education

 

[Altairsky]

I've used the gas on young ones that had injuries or deformed after hatching. It works in less than 20 seconds.

For anything the size of a quail and smaller, I cut the head off with a pair of sharp wood-cutter shissors and it works *instantly*. 20 seconds is too much.
The only animal I gassed was a pet bug and I'm still traumatized.

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

For anything the size of a quail and smaller, I cut the head off with a pair of sharp wood-cutter shissors and it works *instantly*. 20 seconds is too much.
The only animal I gassed was a pet bug and I'm still traumatized.

I'm not chopping heads off

I didn't physically time their deaths, from pouring the vinegar which was malt not white, putting the lid on, sliding the towel as I turned 45° to flip the switch on the jug, was probably way less than 20sec considering all I had to do was stand and reach beside me. My kitchen is only 2.5 metres sq not including the cupboards. The pot was in the middle of the floor.

 

[Themellowyellows]

I'm not chopping heads off

I didn't physically time their deaths, from pouring the vinegar which was malt not white, putting the lid on, sliding the towel as I turned 45° to flip the switch on the jug, was probably way less than 20sec considering all I had to do was stand and reach beside me. My kitchen is only 2.5 metres sq not including the cupboards. The pot was in the middle of the floor.

How is she doing?