[SnooziSuzi]

Well, I had to do it.

There's been a 'stray' banty LS x cockerell running around the allotments for the last week, so I took him in to keep him safe whilst I made enquiries as to who he belonged to.

As I expected, nobody claimed him so today he went the journey.

It was a lot harder than I expected, he was only a bantam but I didn't seem to have enough strength / long enough arms to snap his neck properly so had to asphixiate [sp?] him instead.

The job was done in around one minute and he has been incinerated on my bonfire so there's no chance of him attracting vermin.

Should it have taken that long?  I hoped that his neck would snap, as shown by Munty in his how to kill a chook thread but although I heard a few clicks as if the vertabrae were separating along his neck he sat up again when i let go!!  :shock:   I made sure that my second attempt (poor luv) was more effective, and had the wood axe nearby in case that one didn't work.

[Foxy]

IMHO one should not attempt to kill an animal if you do not know what you are doing. In any doubt whatsoever find someone who will do it humanely please and IF that route is the only possible option.

[SnooziSuzi]

Thanks for your supportive words Foxy.

One was not in any doubt, otherwise I wouldn't have attempted it.  There was nobody else around who could have shown me (that I'd have trusted anyway; another local guy kills his in a far less humane way) and it's not as if I didn't read up and check my facts first.

I got it wrong with the amount of force needed that's all.  It's a hard lesson learned, but at least next time I'll have a better idea of how much pressure to use.

perhaps I should have just set it free to live among peoples brassicas and let the fox get it instead.

[BigPaddy]

Snoozi, we all have to learn.

I haven't done it yet. Will have to soon. I understand that chickens just dont know they are dead for a while. Dont feel too bad.

[Porffor]

Hun, having read munty's words here and having had to do the deed myself to a poorly hen - I can totally offer hugs of sympathy ((Hugs)).. remember that you did the best you could even if it didn't go perfect.

There is one other method i read elsewhere that may be worth noting while we're on the topic. That if you lay their head down on the ground (swing gently to get them to settle) you can put a broom handle or whatever across their neck stand on one side then the other and pull up that way.. this would work as you wouldn't need the strength in your arms. just to naturally stand tall.

Really sorry you've had to go through this. I do love my chooks but to a lesser extent than before I did the deed.. they are no longer pets really... not like my dogs etc. I know i'd do it again if I had to and that has made me view them differently.

[richyrich7]

It's harder than it looks IMHO,  but there's definitely a learning curve esp if your on your own.
Put it down to experience Suzi you'll probably do better next time.

[pushrod]

Agree with richy - i killed my first chicken three times if i remember and the last time was with a spade (mind that did work well  :oops:  )

[Jellyhead]

Not a nice thing to have to do I know but I am with Foxy on this one. I would have found someone who could show me properly first (as I am going to in the near furture). I could/would never take the risk that it may suffer before it died,  if it didn't die in the first few seconds even, I would be mortified. So for me it is be shown properly first or take it to the vet. I need to learn for when I have a hen that is suffering but so far when that has happened my vet has put her to sleep for me.
I am sorry for you Snoozi and as you say you learned a hard lesson, unfortunatley.

[monarch]

Has anyone seen my banty LS x cockerell he got lost when I took him to Durham for Christmas shopping?/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Porffor]

Someone to show me, would have been nice, but not an option I had as I'm the only one that has kept chickens in my friends and family.

  at monarch! lol

[SnooziSuzi]

Has anyone seen my banty LS x cockerell he got lost when I took him to Durham for Christmas shopping?/!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Oops!  LOL!

[woodburner]

I failed ridiculously at my first (and only) attempt at wringing a birds neck, but I had prepared an alternative method just in case.
Cutting the bird's throat so that the arteries are severed is another, but every method (of throat slitting) that I have found described with sufficient detail involves hanging the bird up by it's legs. It's probably just as well as I don't think holding a live bird's head in one hand while wielding a very sharp knife mere centimetres away is a good idea.

The following quote is from Journey to Forever

Doing it

-- "Do you know how to kill a chicken?" Granny Choi asked. "Of course I do," Keith replied. "You take it by the head and chop its body off."

Decapitation is probably the best way, especially for beginners. Cutting their throats works well, and is probably just as instant. Reflex flapping makes both these ways messy. The non-messy way is to wring (break) their necks, but it takes practise to get it right and it's rough on the birds while you climb your learning curve. Maybe you know someone who can show you how.

Kill birds well away from the rest of the flock, take them away one at time -- don't make them wait in line for what they know is going to happen.

Head
Use a cleaver, the heavier the better, and keep it sharp. Use a big, heavy piece of timber as a chopping block. Hammer a nail into it near one end. Tie a short length of thin rope to the nail and put a noose in the other end. Lay the bird down on its back on the block, put the noose round its neck and tighten it -- not too tight. Hold the bird by the legs and pull it away from the nail so it can't move but isn't stretched. If you stroke its chest a bit and make gentle, reassuring noises it'll relax and probably close its eyes. Now's your chance. It needs a single, swift, well-aimed and decisive blow. Keep hold of the legs, hold the bird away from you until the reflex flapping stops.