Whats the most humane way to kill a chicken?

[AutumnThyme]

I had one chicken die while I was giving her a warm Epsom salt bath to help what I thought was an impacted egg. While I'm sure the bath didn't cause her death and was purely coincidental, it had to have been a more pleasant way to go.

Now, that's the way I want to go- peacefully relaxing in a warm bath!

 

[LindaB220]

The very best way is to use a SHARP knife or hatchet. There is nothing worse than have to take two or three tries to get it done.

 

[Fancychooklady]

This is something I keep bookmarked.

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/index.php

 

[SampyArctica]

Interesting...see, I'm currently training to become a wildlife rescuer and as well as volunteering in a wildlife hospital and there are only three ways that are ethically accepted as a "humane death" that I have been told - 1. lethal injection while under anesthetic (not available to the general public and also renders the animal meat inedible for either human or other animal consumption), 2. blunt force trauma (the entire brain must be destroyed in a single blow if possible) and 3. shooting (same general principle as #2). I have been told by several different people, all with years of experience of animal handling - some with vet nurse degrees - that decapitation is not accepted as a humane death as the brain does not die immediately and may remain conscious for at least 30 seconds afterwards, though I have never decapitated an animal myself so I can't comment with experience. This is what the RSPCA has to say on the use of CO2:

"Research into the humaneness of CO2 as a method for killing animals has shown that its effects prior to death are aversive. However, it is important to consider the humaneness of CO2 in the context of the other methods that are currently available for killing animals, especially in large numbers, which is the principle reason for using CO2. Although information on the time to death by CO2 is not available for many species, studies on animals such as chickens and rodents have shown that unconsciousness occurs within one minute in the presence of 100% CO2 with death under these conditions occurring within one to two minutes. It is clear that, when exposed to high concentrations of CO2, most animals experience high levels of distress and discomfort prior to unconsciousness. However, most alternative methods for killing require animals to be handled individually which can also lead to suffering and distress before death. In considering the use of CO2 as a method for killing it is therefore a question of relative humaneness."

They also do not advocate decapitation. If your chickens are used to being handled though, that may reduce the stress for them enough for individual methods of death. I do know of at least one captive animal facility that uses CO2 regularly though. I don't think any death is really 'humane' that isn't carried out whilst under anesthesia but it's not like that's something easily affordable for the average Joe. If I had the money, that's how I'd be killing my hens though. Even a minute of possible distress and discomfort is 59.9 seconds too long for my liking. The one method the RSPCA do offer for those wishing to cull their own backyard chickens though is cervical dislocation (broken neck), so I would say that the 'broomstick' method may be one to consider but ensure that your birds are frequently handled so they don't panic before it happens.

 

[belcherbirds]

This suggestion is the closest way I could ever come to processing my own chickens . Now to get the cleaning them part down pat. Shiver!!!

 

[theWtrio]

I can explain why CO2 isn't ever a good way to go, and distressed the birds.

The body doesn't monitor oxygen or CO2 blood content specifically, it monitors the ratio of the two. Oxygen comes in through the lungs, and CO2 is dispersed. These are one-way pathways. CO2 doesn't come into the blood stream through the lungs.

When you place a mammal in a CO2 rich environment, the body recognizes that the ratio is not being maintained, so the animal gets the feeling as if it is being suffocated. The CO2 concentration builds in the blood because the existing oxygen is being used, and the CO2 isn't leaving.

Now, the body monitors the ratio of the two molecules, but it isn't picky. Small molecules in, large molecule out. This is why Nitrogen or Carbon Monoxide work painlessly... the body allows them in because they are approximately the same size as an oxygen molecule, so the ratio is maintained. You aren't actually getting oxygen though, so you just quietly fall asleep.

I'm not sure what the consequences for the meat are with that method though. Does anyone know why they don't use nitrogen or carbon monoxide for the "mass killings" described?

I hope I explained this in a way that makes sense.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

..............I have been told by several different people, all with years of experience of animal handling - some with vet nurse degrees - that decapitation is not accepted as a humane death ..............

Shhhh! My chickens haven't been told that yet and still prefer death by decapitation.

 

[whiskey rode]

I don't want to disrespect or offend anyone's opinion on this subject but after reading some of the posts i feel the need to put my two cents in . The debate should be more in regards to how can i kill my pet chicken without feeling guilty or have blood on my hands. We as a society have migrated so far away from the land and the natural environment that we are actually having discussions about how much discomfort a chicken feels when an axe removes his head.
We protect our children from the horrific process of killing by not allowing them to see a very natural process of life. While we are out back with the axe, killing cone, broom stick , water barrel, our kids are sitting in front of the computer playing grand theft auto. Not sure if thats the way to go.
What we should be striving for is the quickest way to kill the chicken and bleed it out. Any thing that is killed is not a pleasant site but respect for the animal that has given its life to provide us with food should be the biggest concern.
Everyone is focused on the few seconds of the "act" of kiling than worrying about the meat quality or bleeding the animal out properly. My opinion: I like to use a heavy SHARP axe. Let the axe do the work, you don't need to lift it way over your head and use the force of a major league ball player going for a grand slam. Using two nails on a chopping block place the chickens head between the nails, hold the feet and stretch the neck out. You should be able to drop the axe within the 4 inches of neck provided. One quick blow , and its over.

 

[Todd S]

I don't want to disrespect or offend anyone's opinion on this subject but after reading some of the posts i feel the need to put my two cents in . The debate should be more in regards to how can i kill my pet chicken without feeling guilty or have blood on my hands. We as a society have migrated so far away from the land and the natural environment that we are actually having discussions about how much discomfort a chicken feels when an axe removes his head.
We protect our children from the horrific process of killing by not allowing them to see a very natural process of life. While we are out back with the axe, killing cone, broom stick , water barrel, our kids are sitting in front of the computer playing grand theft auto. Not sure if thats the way to go.
What we should be striving for is the quickest way to kill the chicken and bleed it out. Any thing that is killed is not a pleasant site but respect for the animal that has given its life to provide us with food should be the biggest concern.
Everyone is focused on the few seconds of the "act" of kiling than worrying about the meat quality or bleeding the animal out properly. My opinion: I like to use a heavy SHARP axe. Let the axe do the work, you don't need to lift it way over your head and use the force of a major league ball player going for a grand slam. Using two nails on a chopping block place the chickens head between the nails, hold the feet and stretch the neck out. You should be able to drop the axe within the 4 inches of neck provided. One quick blow , and its over.

Thanks for saying what needed to be said.

 

[jbiz]

Thanks for this thread. I never heard of the broom stick method until this thread. I had to cull a troublesome hen and found it to be quite quick and humane. My wife wanted no parts of the deed. I have learned that as a I get older, I prefer to know where my food comes from