Chicken bald back

[emmalou]

I have been putting off writing this and I am not in this situation atm but could happen very suddenly so need to have some insight into what to do but how do I end the life of a chicken. I have read a few techniques but would want to do it the best way for the chicken and us as I am sure it is a traumatic thing for both parties. I am hoping like everyone that if ever we need to do this it will be natural and they will just slip away but need to have some insight into what to do should things happen very quickly. Sorry for the morbidity!!!

[BridieLou]

Sorry emmalou, that's really sad. I can't advise, but I hope you get some info from someone here.

[Olly]

It's a fact of life EmmaLou, no need to apologise. We all hope for a peaceful demise in their sleep but it doesn't always happen. You are quite right to be prepared.

 

If you search on YouTube you'll find some help, the 'broomstick' method is reckoned best if you've never done it before but I can't speak from experience. I get a friend to do mine - he does it the traditional way by dislocating their vertebrae, the description of 'wringing their neck' is not accurate. It's very quick and gentle. I've watched him do it but apart from not knowing the technique, my wrists are not strong enough.

 

Personally, if he wasn't available I would take my sick birds to the vet for a quick and humane dispatch, because it's much worse to get it wrong through nerves or inexperience. I think they charged about £12 the one time I did this.

[Ursula123]

I like Olly do not think that I have strong enough wrists and would be afraid of distressing her further. Earlier this year due to a prolapse I took my beautiful white star to the vets to be PTS and this would be the option I would always choose as it was very peaceful. The cost was £20 but well worth every penny.

[merlina]

I posted this:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=100005

The first time I culled one of mine. You might find it helpful?

[sadieatthebridge]

I would be very aware of not doing the job right first time. Unfortunately, we lost one of our chickens 3 weeks into chicken-keeping. The vet charged us £87 (!) which is a shocking amount, but better than the alternative IMO.

[emmalou]

I am glad you have all confirmed this for me thank you. I thought this was the best option. I am new to chickens so hope it is some way off but knowing past experiences with other pets they normally fall sick at night, weekend or on a bank holiday! Thanks again

[sadieatthebridge]

Merlina, your previous thread had me in tears

 

I'm not sure I'd be as brave as you though. In fact, I know I wouldn't. Hopefully, I won't have another poorly chicken for a while yet.

[sjp]

I use either the broomstick method or the hand dislocation method for the meat birds both have pros and cons the main one for the broomstick if your on your own is if the bird doesn't hold it's head the way it should do then it's a game to to hold the bird and the stick and then get the head/neck in the right place between the stick and the floor it can also be a bit messy if you apply to much force to a bird with a soft neck as you can't feel what your doing

dislocation method is more about technique than strength to some degree personally I think it's quicker to carry out as you haven't got extra bit of equipment to mess with. but it's a method that needs to be 'taught/learned ' up close and personal. it's not the mechanics of the methods that's the hard part so much as getting your head around having to do the deed that don't get easier with time and really it shouldn't

I've only culled one sick/injured bird and that was before I'd gone on the dispatch and dress course and I have to say the on line stuff didn't help very well and I'm still not comfortable with that particular event 7 years later

[clucker1]

I have a local gamekeeper who will do mine if needed.

[mullethunter]

If you're serious there are courses you can go on to learn. I know I should but haven't been able to make myself yet.

 

I would either go to the vet, or a friend who I know can do it (something involving a traffic cone).

[merlina]

Merlina, your previous thread had me in tears

 

I'm not sure I'd be as brave as you though. In fact, I know I wouldn't. Hopefully, I won't have another poorly chicken for a while yet.

 

Sorry! It made me sniffle too reading it again. I still miss Edna.

 

I wasn't brave at all - I certainly didn't feel it. I mostly felt that I just ought to do it that way. But I also gave myself permission to back out and take her to the vet in the morning for them to do it. I would feel much more confident about doing it again - although it would still be hard.

 

I don't think I could go on a course and kill hens that didn't 'need' to be killed to learn.

[emmalou]

Yes I am trying to get on a course but am in France and the one I want to go on is in the UK. Hopefully I can tie up a date to do it at some point.

[sjp]

If you're serious there are courses you can go on to learn.).

there getting hard to find now I went on the Cotswold Chickens one a few years back but I don't think they run it very often or at all now