Removing birds from flock

[Pine Shavings]

When is the best time to take a bird from a small flock? I mean to cull a bird but still want my flock to trust me. Is it best to take them from the roost at night or when is it best to take a bird from a flock permanently? Also how do you make a bird comfortable before culling to show respect etc. Trying not to ruffle any feathers

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

I am not sure but definitely following

 

[nuthatched]

Just take it and do it quickly and humanely. there's no best time.

 

[Isadora]

If you're looking to keep it peaceful and quiet then taking them off the roost at night is usually pretty quick and clean.
I would just keep the bird in a dog crate or similar and cull in the morning.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I separate mine the night before, I have a separate little coop I can put them in. I do that because it's so much easier to just pluck them quietly off the roost, no drama, no fear. In the morning The Man and I take them out of this dark coop/brooder and put them into a dog crate for transport. This way it doesn't upset the flock and there's no chasing the cull bird around, getting it all full of fear and adrenalin. We then take it to the Mennonite lady who processes our birds for us.

 

[3KillerBs]

Taking a bird from the roost after dark is much less dramatic and disturbing than chasing them through the run with all the others panicking.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When is the best time to take a bird from a small flock? I mean to cull a bird but still want my flock to trust me.

Chickens evolved to be prey animals. They can handle the loss of a flock member quite well. In a day or two they are over it. They may have to reset the pecking order but they are not going to stop trusting you because one of them permanently disappears.

Is it best to take them from the roost at night or when is it best to take a bird from a flock permanently?

Usually from the roost. You may not lose their trust by permanently removing a chicken but if you are out there chasing one with a fishing net or otherwise getting them al upset. If you can just walk up to one and pick it up that would work too. You need to do it without a lot of excitement.

Also how do you make a bird comfortable before culling to show respect etc.

I assume you mean killing. If you select a bird for rehoming that is culling too.

What method are you going to use to kill the bird? The specific method you use may play into that. But you want it to be quick and sure. You want it to be a way that you can do without flinching or closing your eyes. Otherwise you may injure yourself or injure the bird. You don't want that. Whether you use some version of the killing cone, broomstick method, axe and stump, or something else just try to be calm and don't make sudden movements that gets the bird excited.

 

[Pine Shavings]

Chickens evolved to be prey animals. They can handle the loss of a flock member quite well. In a day or two they are over it. They may have to reset the pecking order but they are not going to stop trusting you because one of them permanently disappears.


Usually from the roost. You may not lose their trust by permanently removing a chicken but if you are out there chasing one with a fishing net or otherwise getting them al upset. If you can just walk up to one and pick it up that would work too. You need to do it without a lot of excitement.


I assume you mean killing. If you select a bird for rehoming that is culling too.

What method are you going to use to kill the bird? The specific method you use may play into that. But you want it to be quick and sure. You want it to be a way that you can do without flinching or closing your eyes. Otherwise you may injure yourself or injure the bird. You don't want that. Whether you use some version of the killing cone, broomstick method, axe and stump, or something else just try to be calm and don't make sudden movements that gets the bird excited.

Yes, to kill. I was thinking the cervical bungee method, my dad always did the broom stick method, but I can't recall how he did it, could you explain it better? I think he rolled the neck over the broomstick...i don't really want to deal with a bunch of blood. Great advice, it is the first time culling for me.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I walk over, pick one up, walk back to the hanging scale, weigh it, behead it, disrobe it, and move it to the table to remove the entrails. Do the rest of the flock care?? You bet. They want the entrails.

CHASING birds? Very traumatic - they will head for safety and act like a hawk or other predator was spotted, restricting their ranging, etc for some time thereafter. Definite prey behavior.

Decapitating swiftly? the flock gets over it REAL FAST. that's also prey behavior. "I don't have to be the fastest runner, I only need to be faster than you..." In nature, once a predator has taken its fill, the rest of the flock is safe (for a time).

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use the hatchet and stump method so can't really comment too much on the broomstick method. To me the broomstick method is where you put the neck under the broomstick, stand on the broomstick, and pull. Sometimes the head comes off, sometimes the neck breaks. It might take some trial and error to get it right.

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