The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: devonlad on April 22, 2014, 03:38:12 pm
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Big ginge is ancient. Our first ever hen, delivered in a cardboard box by my sister in law the day we moved in. And she was old then and that was 5 years ago. She's rarely if ever produced an egg but she has been a legend, top of the pecking order and treated with reverence by all subsequent arrivals. But sadly no longer. She has become wobbly on her aged legs and has now been shoved to the lowest rank. Her comb shows the scars of much disrespect and last night she was being battered by the previous bottom of the heap, beryl- seeming ttotally incapable of defending herself or getting away. We feel its time to do the decent thing and send the poor girl on her way. Although I'm not unfamiliar with dispatching poorly hens by pulling their necks it just feels so wrong to do that to ginge. Stupid question I'm sure but any other options for a more dignified exit for the poor old girl ?
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neck stretch is quick and kind...
if it helps say a prayer for her as you do it!!!
sounds like she has had a very good life :-)
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if it helps say a prayer for her as you do it!!!
I always apologise to mine for what I am about to do. :roflanim:
I find the broomstick is best if you are not confident with the neck pull. I always find the bird is calmer and they are finished before they know whats going on.
I stand with one foot on the 'broomstick' which lifts it up. Hold the bird by the feet. Then slide the birds head underneath the wood. They naturally lift their head. Now step on the other part of the wood and pull. Not too hard its not necessary.
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Wait until she is in the driveway and go for it, you can convince yourself it was just an accident.
Get someone else to do it
Whatever you do good luck
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Wait until she is in the driveway and go for it, you can convince yourself it was just an accident.
Get someone else to do it
Whatever you do good luck
Oh that made me laugh.
Devonlad - You could just pop to the vets and get her euthanised!
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Last minute thought put her in a pen with 1/2 dozen cockerels, either just the thought of 6 of them will finish her off, or the exercise will, either way what a way to go :roflanim:
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I agree with NicandChic - we're in the expensive Home Counties and even here it only costs little to have a chicken euthanised.
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had to grin at your suggestions Andy. think a vet trip might be the preferred option for the old girl , thanks as always everyone
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glad my suggestions were taken the way they were mean't on a serious note we have the big chicken vet at Exmouth, you could take her for a day out or there vets are always out and about, the service is eggceptional
Good luck
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If you have any meloxicam (loxicom/metacam) for dogs sheep cattle etc give her a good dose ie 10x her weight and she will just drift off to sleep and never return.TThat's what I use for pet poultry euthanasia. Much nicer for you and her. Again a good thing for the pet poultry keeper to have in. Alternativly, human opiates/ betablockers/sleeping pills- ground and dissolved.
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actually your idea sounds more like I was thinking of mkay. we've got metacam for dogs so thinking that might be the way to go.we've moved her with her old mate bobble to a little run out the way of the bullies and will need to do something later in the week when not so busy at work
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If you have any meloxicam (loxicom/metacam) for dogs sheep cattle etc give her a good dose ie 10x her weight and she will just drift off to sleep and never return.TThat's what I use for pet poultry euthanasia. Much nicer for you and her. Again a good thing for the pet poultry keeper to have in. Alternativly, human opiates/ betablockers/sleeping pills- ground and dissolved.
I wouldn't recommend this. It is a NSAID drug which can cause liver and kidney failure which isn't a nice way to go and the amount of ulceration in the guts with overdose will surely be painful. If you cannot do the poultry slaughter as per defra then euthanasia would be the kindest method.
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My dad used to use ether for our pets when their time was up. Put them in a sealed box with a good dose of it and euthanized them that way - peacefully. But he did have free access to it as a chemistry teacher! Our vets will euthanize for free and you can take them away for ceremony & burial. Which reminds me, my son once came home from school with another of his great creations using large numbers of cardboard boxes. One of them was from a vet with a little plaque on it for a much loved hamster. Obviously the teacher was less fussed!
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It would cause liver of kidney failure if the dose is not sufficiently lethal or during chronic poisoning. Opiates would be best, ie tramadol or betablockers but it is usually meloxicam that is available. I appreciate it is not designed for the task but I have used it successfully.