[orchardlady]

I thought I'd write about how it makes me feel so sad to cull a bird even after all these years of keeping hens. It does get better but not always. I had to dispatch my boss boy this morning. He had been such a good lad and had looked after his flock so well, even standing out in the middle of the field with his ladies behind him to keep himself between the girls and a fox.

He started to look dodery in November and slowly slowly got more and more frail. He had just about handed over the thrown to his second in command a beautiful Welsummer. There had been no fighting until I found my old boy in the duck house this morning (no wonder the ducks were hard to get to go to bed last night). He came out with a battered comb. I left him to have some breakfast and a drink and watched him carefully. When he saw the Welsummer approaching from quite some distance he tried to hide behind the duck house. So I scooped him up and dispatched him. He had done well, 7 is good going for a cockerel. He had spent his life from egg to now in my field and had good and fulfilling life.

God bless old boy.

OL

[Kate and her Ducks]

It's such a hard thing to do but what a wonderful life he has had.

[Hayley'sHens]

Aww OL, Thats so sad, Im sorry.
R.I.P old man

[hillfooter]

It's the hardest thing to have to do but when it has to be done it's best to be done quickly and well.  I much prefer that I do it for my birds as I think it's best someone who has cared for them render them this last service.  All chicken keepers should be able to do this when needed and even if you can't feel good about it at least take a pride in doing it with care.

HF

[LittleRedHen]

I am so sorry for your loss.  What a wonderful lad he was.  Isn't it amasing how just one bird can make such a huge impact in our daily lives?  Poor old boy probably thought he was going to be finished off by the second in command.  It is always very difficult to dispatch and I am dreading the first time I'm going to have to do it.  Be gentle with yourself today! 

[joyfull]

so sorry O/L, I hate dispatching birds especially cockerels but you did the right thing. Calmly and with dignity xx

[Catsmuvva]

So sorry to hear your news. How many years have you been keeping birds?

I wish I was able to dispatch my girls when they're poorly but, even after reading the "how to..." I'd be fraught with worry that I wouldn't do it right and cause more pain and distress to an already ailing bird, it's a huge responsibility!

Fair play to those of you that can do the deed and give their birds a swift and painfree way out.

[orchardlady]

THank you all for your kind words. I've been having quite a bit of business stress over the  last couple of  weeks (nothing thats insurmountable but still stressful) and having to say goodbye to my dear cockerel was not good.

Dispatching your own birds as HF says is the the best way and it's the last service of care you can offer them. I always take them away from the main flock and do it as swiftly, quietly and calmly as possible. It is always hard but it must sometimes be done. Catmuvva I've been keeping poultry for roughly 17 years now. Dispatching is a task you will at some point need to address. No one likes doing it. I would suggest you have a chat with a local gamekeeper or look for a local poultry club. These people are usually very experienced and willing to support you in your first few attempts.

OL

I can justify dispatching sick, injured or elderly cockerals where life quality is no longer good but I just hate dispatching young cockerals. I do it otherwise life in the field is not good with constant challenges and fights and the girls being pestered by over amourous young cokerals. It'srotten to be a boy bird.

[GrannieAnnie]

With Brian, I've been keeping chooks for 15 years now, but only learnt to dispatch in the last 3 years.  I still hate to do it, and feel for you OL.  I had to put one of my own hatched RIR's girls down yesterday.  She was sitting in the mud and Brian said what's up with her?  When I walked up to her, she stood up and attempted to eat a bit of cabbage.  I picked her up and looked her over, couldnt see anything wrong, but when I put her down again she tried to walk and kept falling over.

Bertie only tried to jump on her while she was lying on the ground, randy little so and so, so for the first time he felt the toe of my welly (only gently though enough to lift him off her!)  But she didn't get up again so I thought it best to dispatch her.  She hardly flapped at all, so I knew she was bad.  She was only 18 months too!

Iam so sorry you've lost your little man, but what a good 7 years he had eh???