What is the most humane way to kill a chicken?

[Crickett]

I actually saw this on a Gordon Ramsey show, "The F Word". Anyway, when it was time to dispatch his turkeys, the man did it with an electric current. It was very quick and the turkeys didn't seem to suffer at all. The electric current was supplied by a cattle prod- looking thing. It only took about five seconds then they stopped the juice and it was all over.


I'm very sorry you are having to go through this. You are much braver than I am. When I had two chicks that were obviously sick and weren't going to make it, I couldn't bring myself to end it quick for them. As a result they probably suffered more than they needed to. I just kept hoping that maybe they would pull through. I wish you well, you have so much courage! And I hope all your other chickies do well!

 

[DawnSusan]

I had to do two today. Chopped their heads with a shovel. Went right through. It was still awful, but it was good knowing it was instant, and that it worked the first time.


I cried, but did it. Then it was over.

These were chickens that were chomped by dog, so it was a mercy killing, not for food. They were lovely little yard ladies.

 

[LizzyJo]

I don't know if car exhaust would work anymore. Catalytic converters have ruined that method I think.

Years ago I read a story in a newspaper column in San Francisco about a Chinese woman who tried tio get on a city bus with a live chicken. The driver told her that no animals were allowed, so she stepped off the bus, wrung the chicken's neck. and voila, it isn't an animal, it's dinner--which is where it was heading anyway. All the non-Chinese people on the bus (including the driver) freaked out, all the Chinese people were like so what? I guess if you come from a village in Taiwan, it is easier to deal with certain things.

 

[Nostalchic]

I had to dispatch the friendliest 6 week old chick I had (she was friendly because she had a terrible cross beak and was starving; the only way she could eat or drink was if I held a deep handful up to her to scoop it out, but the beak was getting worse and worse and I couldn't do this for her all day long). She would fly right into my arms to let me feed her, but she was nothing but bones, and I realized that I just had to do it. I researched the various methods, but in the end I held her, fed her a little, told her sincerely that I was so sorry that things had turned out this way, and used a sharp pair of pruning shears to kill her. It was very quick, though the flapping after is disconcerting. For a young chick, with a small neck, this is much easier in terms of manipulation and probably less frightening to them than being held down on a block while you try to manipulate a hatchet. (I have done that too.) It was a great relief to have done the right thing for her, and I felt strong and capable and able to face harsh realities (ok, in a small way) afterwards, though of course it's sad. Good luck.