Dispatched my first girl

[Falkirk Bairn]

One of my girls, a rhode rock has had respiratory problems for the past few days. Symptoms were similar to that of gapeworm - stretching neck, open beak, drool coming out of beak, wheezing, coughing and not eating/drinking on her last day.

I had only wormed my girls 2 weeks prior to this and her symptoms came on quick. After observing her for a few days I managed to examine her. The poor soul had swallowed a thumb tack (not sure how she managed to get one of those as they are in their enclosed run for the summer).

So I had to take the horrible decision of what to do with her and I decided a quick dispatch would be best. Thankfully I was able to carry it out quickly and effectively, chopping it's head off in one go but it was an absolutely horrendous feeling afterwards.

My two young girls were distraught at losing one of girls so my hubby took us to get 3 new ones (I wouldn't settle for one). We got a pied suffolk, a barred rock and some other strangely marked possibly leghorn based girl (will need to get pic of her up to see what everybody thinks she is).

It got me wondering how you guys dispatched yours?

[KittyColdNose]

This is what stops me getting chooks for now. I even flinch at hurting slugs I think if I had chickens it would be up to hubby to dispatch them if need be.

[Veg newbie]

Hi Falkirk bairn, Sorry to hear about your girl.
If you are not interested in breed their is a facebook page for a chicken rescue and they are not too far away.
http://www.facebook.com/WingAndAPray...ocation=stream

Also as you are quite close, is their anywhere good to get advice? I have been thinking about getting some chickens but Would prefer to go somewhere to get advise especially about what to do through out winter.

[Falkirk Bairn]

Hi Veg Newbie,

I won't be getting any more girls till the end of summer as I have 2 booked from the breeder I get them from.
After seeing the multitude of problems friends have had with their resues I wouldn't get any for my garden setup. Would perhaps consider once (I live in hope) we get our croft/smallholding.
The best advice I got/get is from online forums about chicken keepings. I've also read a multitude of books and watched youtube videos etc.
The breeder that we purchased our girls from is superb and is only a phone call away should I ever need any help.
What is it about chicken keeping through the winter you would like to know?

[chris]

Haven't dispatched myself, but I'd use the broomstick myself - if I had to.

[Nicos]

OH is the one who does it in our household

quick snap of the neck and a pull.


We always feel very very dulled after the event....even now.


For the geese we chop off their heads- it seems the 'gentlest' way.

[BigJim]

Massive respect for doing the right thing when the time came.

Personally I prefer the broomstick method (although with an metal bar) for my ducks, after the advice from the humane slaughter association and cos I'd probably chop my fingers off trying to use an axe on my own.

I've always hated the process, even when it's putting a bird out of their misery, it changed my relationship with the rest of the flock for a while after.

[veggiechicken]

This is what stops me getting chooks for now. I even flinch at hurting slugs I think if I had chickens it would be up to hubby to dispatch them if need be.

I took mine to the vet when the time came, KCN. You don't have to do it yourself.

[Glutton4...]

We had to despatch a Battie recently, it's very easy with a sick bird. I can't recommend the 'Broomstick' method, as my Dad found it very difficult despatching fit healthy Cockerels this way, despite having despatched many birds. We now use a meat cleaver, as it is quick and final.

When I say 'We" I mean my Husband. I've not been forced to do it yet.

[Snadger]

I've had to do quite a few, and I can tell you, it doesn't get any easier.

Must admit, if it did appear to get easier I'd start worrying about my humanity!

[jessmorris]

I use the broomstick method. Its fine, a bit OTT for bantams as they are often decapitated. I think I would cut my hand/fingers off if I used an axe. I have to steel myself to do it, unless the bird is sick, when its easier. Brandy helps too (just a snifter).

[frias]

I'm such a wimp mine get put to sleep at the vets.

[RichmondHens]

For birds that are going to be eaten then neck dislocation is the best way so the blood can pool in the cavity produced by the separation of the vertebrae. We do ours by hand for chickens and with a broomstick for the turkeys. However for just humanely dispatching a sick, injured or old pet bird we have taken to using an air pistol straight to the back of the head which is very quick and easy. You just need to have a steady hand and someone to hold the bird still, preferably laid out on the ground so the bullet is stopped.