I think you have to get yourself in the right mind set. I was helped by having a male quail that repeatedly attacked the females leaving their heads bald and blooming (scalped). They recovered but I tried putting him in solitary for a while and he did not learn his lesson. Not enjoyable to have to cull something but it did make it easier for my first time. I researched loads and didn't have any problems with a small quail.
Then I had to cull some bantam cockerels so used the broom shank method as I would not like the thought of not being strong enough to do the deed efficiently by hand. Then I hatched some turkeys last year, kept two of them and invested in a wall mounted dispatcher. I still use the broom shank sometimes as I find it quite easy. It is never a pleasant thing to do but I respect my birds and they may have a short life but it is a happy one.
I had to cull a day old quail chick this morning which had a deformed neck and could not feed or drink. Thanks to reading advice on here from Grannie Annie and joyfull it was quick and painless for the chick. I think that is the hardest I have found it but I would not have liked it to die slowly from starvation.
My family couldn't believe that I would be able to do it as I am such a softie but with the practicalities of raising and keeping birds I had to have a bit of a needs must attitude.
