[farmerGiles]

The lady who offered to rehome our two 4-month-old cockerels has changed her mind.

We've already dispatched one and it was horrific.

So I'd prefer to poison the other one.

Is there something I can mix into a porridge to poison it quickly and painlessly?

Can't believe I'm discussing this, but there you go, something has to be done.

[joyfull]

no sorry and this way can lead to a slow lingering death which would be illegal. If you can't dispatch them yourself properly please either take them to a vets or find somebody who can. If you remember when dispatching their nerves will keep them twitching and their eyes blinking for a short while afterwards - the bird is dead and to prevent bruising to the flesh it is best to wrap the bird up in a towel or similar. It is never nice to do but you do get better and able to dispatch quicker with less problems.
I use one of these:-
http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Humane-Wall-Mounted-Dispatcher-PY91.html
having previously used an axe and the broom method and this seems to me to be the best method for me.

[joyfull]

Can I also point out that perhaps in future you should stick with point of lays - as can be seen in the poultry swap shop there are an abundance of unwanted cockerels left over from last years hatchings and out of every clutch of eggs you generally get more cockerels than pullets.

[olde9856]

If you are not able to dispatch the bird yourself, have a word at your feed mill for other hen keepers who can help, but really this is something you need to learn to do if just for emergency purposes

[farmerGiles]

no sorry and this way can lead to a slow lingering death which would be illegal. If you can't dispatch them yourself properly please either take them to a vets or find somebody who can. If you remember when dispatching their nerves will keep them twitching and their eyes blinking for a short while afterwards - the bird is dead and to prevent bruising to the flesh it is best to wrap the bird up in a towel or similar. It is never nice to do but you do get better and able to dispatch quicker with less problems.
I use one of these:-
http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Humane-Wall-Mounted-Dispatcher-PY91.html
having previously used an axe and the broom method and this seems to me to be the best method for me.

Point taken.

I will wrap its head in a towel this time.

[GrannieAnnie]

I think Joy means wrap its body in a towel, not its head!

[farmerGiles]

Okay.

[joyfull]

can I suggest that in future all people who hatch poultry either go on a course to learn to dispatch or find somebody to teach them, either that or save up for the vets to do it for you, as tomshooter has said it's not fair on the birds otherwise.

[joyfull]

Farmer Giles - where abouts in the country are you? If you are local to me I will show you with my dispatcher how to do the deed.

[joyfull]

please also note that poisoning is for vermin (rats, mice etc) and poultry are not vermin.

[Aunt Sally]

A doubt very much if a vet would put down a healthy bird either. They are not slaughter houses.

[Hayley'sHens]

Sorry not a helpful comment, So maybe I shouldnt comment at all, but I cant belive im reading this 

[Jeanette]

I am sorry to think that you are even considering poisioning a bird. You should learn to dispatch a bird proprely with as little fuss as possible. Poisioning is a long and painful death.

[Aunt Sally]

I think that's a resounding NO from every one here farmerGiles.

I'm locking this topic now as I'm sure there can be no further constructive comments.

You've had one offer showing you how to dispatch a bird efficiently.  If anyone else can help by showing you how to cull I expect they will contact you by PM.