Cube mk2 and WIR

[Alis girls]

Today I culled my first chicken. In the past I've normally found them dead in coop and only once took one to vet who had had throat ripped out by a predator but was still alive. I used the broomstick method which was simple enough but didnt go quite as planned. The body twitching after i expected but still found it upsetting. Penny my hen went lame,  legs totally useless. I suspect was a tumour or stroke. Anyway it's done but I felt awful doing it. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by Alis girls

[Cat tails]

Sorry to hear you had to resort to this, but well done for not letting her suffer. You made a brave decision.

[mullethunter]

Well done Ali’s Girls. I’ve culled several now - one young cockerel who had slipped tendons in both hocks so couldn’t stand, one cockerel who had some sort of degenerative neurological disorder and could no long move around, and three hens who had been attacked by something (suspect stoat) and seemed to have been left completely brain dead. I hated it absolutely every time and have to run away before the body starts scrabbling but I always knew I did the right thing.

 

[Hippie Chick]

That's awful, I'm so sorry 😢 but I admire you very much for being able to do it, it must be a lot less stressful for the hen rather than having to travel to see a vet. 

[Lewis]

Well done you

It's obviously part of my job but think it's a good skill for chicken keepers to have when the need arises

[Daphne]

Indeed, well done.  Its not easy or pleasant, and I'd be more worried if you didn't feel bad about doing it, but the main thing is that you stopped your hen suffering, even though it was at a great cost to yourself.  When you feel calmer, you can be proud of yourself for stepping up.  I still have to tell myself its just the nerves when a bird moves after death, but strangely I find this helps me accept I am left with just the body, not 'my whoever'.

[Luvachicken]

Yes, well done @Alis girls.

I'm not sure I would be brave enough to do it.

 

[Moyesie02]

I had to cull one of my girls yesterday too. She was very ill and had lost a lot of weight. It’s never easy but I believe it’s less stress then taking them to the vets. I only have one chicken left now…I’m really worried she will become lonely and depressed. Does anyone have any advice? (Bringing her inside isn’t an option as I have a GSD who would torment her) 

thanks