[featherhead]

Reading through some of the posts on here I came across dispatching!
I've never heard of this before and rather naively belived that all animals would either be put down at the vets or die naturally.
I understand it has good cause and is a necasary evil .. but is this something I am going to have to learn to do? :/

[Springlands]

Hi Featherhead
Not all hens die naturally and sometimes if they are in distress it is better that they are dispatched humanely. Some people can to it themselves but you need to be confident that you can do it without causing the hen any more pain/distress. My OH and I prefer to take our hens to the vets if we think they are in any pain/distress.

[joyfull]

I do it myself for 2 reasons:- so that my pets can be put out of pain quickly if they are suffering and as I hatch some chickens every year and at least 50% of those will be boys which are very difficult to re-home (and cannot be used for breeding with their sisters).

[sneezer]

With chickens they hide their illness well, so when they show symptons they are often too poorly to treat, and if this is on a sunday with emergency vet costs this will be quite steep, I am lucky my Dad can be called upon to put them out of their suffering.

[OpiumEater]

Joyful, what method do you use? It's not something I'm looking forward to  but understand that when dealing with livestock, will have to at some point.

Thanks

Christine

[joyfull]

I use the type of wall mounted dispatcher found on this page:-
http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/acatalog/Wall_Mounted_poultry_Dispatcher.html

although I bought mine from ascott poultry (£29.99 inc vat far cheaper but the link was too big for me to put on here  ).

I have in the past used the broom handle method and an axe but find this dispatcher better for me. I don't like doing it but sometimes needs must.
If it is for a tiny chick then it is a case of crushing it's neck on something like a metal fence/gate edge - again not nice but if deformed or severely injured then needs must.

[rachelr]

can i suggest you find a course near you for dispatching. from my own experience it gives you more confidence that you are doing it right.

I hope that helps.

[featherhead]

There are courses on dispatching?? Gosh.
Maybe that would be helpful, I don't know if anyone I know would/could do it for me, but I'm afraid I'm a bit of a wuss.. The idea of them twitching afterwards also really puts me off loads. I'd hate to do it wrong and hurt them more.
Hopefully I'll have a couple years to learn a bit more about this.

[OpiumEater]

Thanks Racheir, I'll look out for one. The last thing I want to do is get it wrong when I finally have to do it. 

[SnooziSuzi]

http://www.chickenkeeper.co.uk/courses/kill-pluck-gut-and-bone.php

I'd recommend anyone that has poultry should go on Alison's Kill, pluck, and gut course.  it's not too expensive and you learn such a lot on the day that will serve you well throughout your chicken keeping career.

Often, instead of you having to go to Hook, Alison and her hubby run courses around the country - if you can't get to her farm then I'd suggest seeing if she is running any courses near to you.