Just despatched my first hen

[polo]

Feeling really sad but also kind of glad that I have been able to do it. Pepper was coming up for 3 years old and was laying massive eggs. She prolapsed about 4 days ago and I managed to clean it up and get it back in with the aid of Vaseline. Unfortunately it kept coming back out so I made the decision to cull tonight. I used the broomstick method and my very brave 9 year old watched ( she wants a farm when she is older) so she could learn. It was over pretty quick, and we both cried!! At least pepper is out of her misery now. I hope we did the right thing, I would have asked on here but I've not had any Internet since July so have missed you all.

Feel one step closer to rearing meat birds now but still feel teary so of to sample the plum brandy, just to check it's steeping nicely of course

Polo

[Suechooks]

Well done! I think its easier (not the right word but you know what I mean) when you are ending a birds suffering. I had to cull a day old chick a few weeks ago and actually it was fine because it was suffering terribly so it really was the kindest (and only) thing to do.
RIP Pepper and big {{{{{HUGS}}}}}to you and little Polo.

[baldrick]

O no. Well done x

[RichmondHens]

Well done, a difficult job. Hope the brandy helped.

[its hilly]

Well done Polo. And Little Polo too.
It's a hard job to do, but I'm convinced that being killed at home by someone familiar is far less stressful on them, if you can cope with it.
I find it easier to do meat birds as I make sure that they are cared for properly, but don't spend any time with them to let them become individuals. It's much harder when they have been well known characters.

[jessmorris]

Well done Polo's both. Its not easy, but you have now done it, and probably know that you could do it again. I always have the brandy beforehand, by the way ;-)