[goosepimple]

Haven't done it yet.  Checked in the hen house this morning and one lying on the floor and a post I read recently on this form has led me to believe it's 'stargazing' - she's got a twisted neck, coiled round. 


Unless someone knows of a miracle cure I think just general deterioration is on the way to eventual death. I've isolated her from the others. 


Going to wait for OH to come home this evening and then I'll hopefully do it properly - I'm feeling quite business like about it - have been keeping hens for 8 years now and haven't needed to do it so far.  It's phasing me less than I thought, I can see she can't live like that and I'm not going to give in and let OH do it.


I've read up how to do it - anyone any tips though?

[Jukes Mum]

I really feel for you. While I am quite matter-of-fact when it has to be done, I don't think I could do it myself. My fella was really upset when he dispatched one by hand as it flapped for so long. The last one he did with the air rifle! Much quicker and less traumatic.

[Womble]

Choose your method, take a deep breath, then just don't be too timid. Oh, and pour yourself a large somethingorother for afterwards. good luck! 

[HesterF]

Just concentrate on getting the physical side of it right - so making sure you have everything prepared and to hand, run through in your head what you need to do and once done get on with burying her (or whatever you're going to do). Don't start thinking about the killing side of it iykwim - the emotional stuff - until it's all over. Hopefully then it will have a been a calm process and you will know it's the best thing for her.

[jaykay]

Be bold, is the key.

If right-handed, tuck hen comfortably under left arm. Hold her head, with your right hand above it, and your fore and middle fingers either side of her head. Then a strong and sharp push away and twist.

If you're worried about hand-strength, use a broomstick. Lie the hen with her head and neck on the ground, put the broomstick over her neck, and stand with your feet on the stick, either side of her. Grab a foot securely in each hand, and pull up hard. This is a good method for bigger things too, which you couldn't manage with the twist and pull method.

They don't seem to stress about the neck-under-the-broomstick stage, oddly, and then it's over before they know it.

Then pour yourself a large glass of wine 

[suziequeue]

Yes - broomstick and be quick and decisive.


I get both legs in one hand and both wing bases in the other and then full pressure on the stick and up sharp and fast with both arms. Did a big year old cockerel last weekend - thought it was going to be a bit of a struggle but he was just easy to do as the 16 weekers we did last autumn.


Don't think bout it. Just do it.

[bloomer]

hope all goes ok, please report back so we know you got through the experience!!!

[goosepimple]

Did it.  Did the broom method, actually it was a metal dowel from something or other.  Just did it quietly and quickly except I pulled it too hard probably and pulled it about 3 times to make sure which was a bit too much as ..... well you can fill the rest in.


Felt ok about it afterwards, it had to be done and I wanted to know I could do it again on my own if I had too and as Jaykay said, it would be a quick and easy method for bigger things too.


I wouldn't be squeamish about doing it again though and never ever thought I'd be able to do it at all a few years back.  Maybe I'm getting a bit tougher in my old age. 


Thanks for the support all.

[Womble]

Well done Goosepimple. Don't worry about pulling too hard - it's infinitely better than not hard enough.
 
For me, the main thing I worried about was not doing it correctly and causing unnecessary suffering. Once that fear was out of the way, things got much better. It's never an enjoyable thing to do, but it does get easier after a while.
 
I hope you've opened a bottle of wine or something now!

[Mammyshaz]

  glad it went ok for you

[Daisys Mum]

Well done, I'm afraid that I have to call son for help when something needs dispatched mainly as I have very little strength in my left hand and would hate to botch it.

[jaykay]

Well done - the uncertainty is a lot of the difficulty the first time, so now you know you can do it, and do it properly. It's never 'pleasant' and neither should it be, but you don't have to worry if you need to do it now 

[goosepimple]

yes, thanks all, like you Anne I was worried I wouldn't pull strongly enough but actually once it's neck is trapped under something its very easy. 


I didn't need a glass of wine actually! - I just decided I would think about something else.  Oddly we all sat down to watch masterchef on iplayer