[Amy]

Hi everyone.  I'm new to the poultry pages.  I've had backyard, free range RIR and Plymouth Rock hens for years.  Many of my hens are now over 4 years old and no longer laying eggs.  How do I humanely euthanize them?  I can't bear to break necks or chop off heads.....I've thought about setting them "free" near our local river, but I know they'll fall victim to predators.  I've heard about large poultry operations using gas....Any suggestions for me?  Thanks.  Amy

[ACatCalledElvis]

we took the long answer - we have 2 chooks for all the eggs we need - we realise that they will give up egg laying  - and we will get some more - from that point they will become pets - so we have calculated the maximum amount we will prob end up to get 2 chooks producing, and others just 'pets' is about 8-10 - so we have allowed enough ground in the garden. Just a thought.

[jack russell]

the only way forward is to get someone else to do it for you

pick a male friend who thinks he is tough and ask him to do it for you

lets hope he dont chicken out  :roll:

cheers

jr

[muntjac]

go to the feed supplier ask for a bird dispatcher its like a pair of pliers .just pop it round the birds neck close hard and its done .if you pop the bird in a sack with just the head out you can stop it flapping about .its quick painless

[hermon]

shame you can't keep them as pets as they have done a good job giving you eggs when they can. :cry:

[richyrich7]

Hi Amy welcome to the site,  

It's always a hard decision to despatch an animal, but that's a chickens lot in life. No point in keeping them if they are not earning their keep.

 The dispatcher pliers have good write ups so I would go that way. Some people practice on some thick celery sticks to start with.

Good luck

[Bagpuss]

I intend to keep my four hens even after they stop laying, but I had always thought if they were ill etc, that a vet would put them down.  I know I couldn't do it but am I being naive?

[Sadgit]

I really know I couldn't do it... I have no idea what to do when mine stop laying...

[muntjac]

its £15 a chuck at the vets in beccles and £70 for a dog .i know of girl in village getting charged £36 for having her rabbit done ,. not wishing to sound cruel ,but i sure as hell aint paying no vet that kind of money for something that costs £2 a shot and filling thier pockets  half of them drive blooming top range cars  and to cap it off a vet suggested i actually give my zantac tablets to a bitch with a jiffy tummy and if i had any spares he would take them off me , cheap of course :? . i havent had a vet put down any of my animals and i sure wont be starting

[Contadino]

I'm with Muntjac.  Besides, no vet here would come and look at a chicken.  One point is that you really need to find someone who knows what they're doing as it's one of those things that can end up traumatic for the chicken and for the keeper.  The first chicken I had to dispatch (and I) had a terrible experience, trying to go by instructions in a book (me, not the chicken, you understand )

I think that whether you're using the pliers, broom handle, road cone, knife, howitzer, or even just bare hands, you need someone to show you how it's done.

[muntjac]

i may upset a few folks but i will be posting a blow by blow account of how to cull a chicken with photographs if this is what is needed ,i will go by the majority decision .if john or another mod will set up a poll for it .. for and against only .

[richyrich7]

i may upset a few folks but i will be posting a blow by blow account of how to cull a chicken with photographs if this is what is needed ,i will go by the majority decision .if john or another mod will set up a poll for it .. for and against only .

What a good idea Muntjac, but shall we run it by John and the rest of the team first ?

[muntjac]

that was the intention matey

[richyrich7]

thought so, so I posted for you in the tea room

[muntjac]

i should thought that as well lol.. oh by the way who is tea boy/girl ?