How about asking your husband to help you with this first one? Choose the method you are least uncomfortable with and have him there to be your backup and coach if you begin to lose your nerve. Once you have done one or two with his help, you will be better equipped to handle it on your own.

I don't normally do the culling here because my friend Brian is more competent. I do the skinning, eviscerating and cooking though... so I do feel I am doing my share. But I know I could handle it if I had to. I did cull a chick that was unable to walk or stand last spring, but that was not difficult because I knew I was ending its suffering.

I know it is difficult... but it is best to learn how before you are forced into it because a bird gets badly injured when no one else is there to do it.

I'm afraid I wouldn't have been so generous after that spur imbedded in my leg!

Having always lived on a farm I suppose I got past that long ago. We always killed chickens and ducks when I was little. Either Granny flat out chopped their heads off or with the ducks my brother just took the .22 and shot them in the head. Yes, he is a very good shot.

We butcher our own deer and last spring when the vet tore a cow's uterus we went ahead and shot her, skinned her out and got our first lesson from the local retired butcher on how to run his band saw and cut up meat. It really isn't that hard if you have a strong back.

I will admit that it's much easier to just load your pet on the truck and send her to the yards vs walking up to her with the .22 and putting a bullet in her head. For me it's much easier to put down an animal that's suffering than one that's perfectly healthy and again it's much easier to shoot one than to wring it's neck or chop off it's head. I guess shooting one somewhat removes you from the action. Once they're dead I really have no problems dressing out whatever it is. I don't like to unnecessarily hurt an animal and if I'm butchering it I want it to die as quickly as possible.

Janet

Sorry to hear about your leg, roberta. I hope the roo is leaving you alone. Does sound like he needs to be culled immediately, though.

I've grown up/worked on many farms. I spent several years working for a local farmer who raised pork and butchered it for a local farmer's market every Saturday. I have to say that while I'm am reconciled to raising meat for consumption, it's never made it easier to kill the animals. I usually don't do that job. DH doesn't like it either, so last year and this we shipped our beef to the butcher live.

Chickens I can do, but it's not enjoyable. I have hunted at various times with my Dad and DH. Shot a moose one year and immediately sat down beside it and cried. Sounds dumb, I know. The meat was wonderful and we shared it many other families, so that was my solace for killing a wild creature.

The hardest job I ever had was in college: I worked in the Ag. College swine unit and was in charge of the maternity ward. Any baby piglets that were born deformed or were just sickly in general had to be disposed of - by me. I will never forget the first day my supervisor made me kill one of these babies. BUT it's all a part of farming. Sometimes it is the best or only option, even if it is hard. I've watched grown men and the vet cry while putting down a racehorse that's fallen and broken a leg in a crash. There is no shame in having a love for the animals we raise.

I hope your DH will help you out with this. Just remember that you are doing what is best for yourself and your flock.

Balsam

Hi Roberta,

Maybe the roos leaves your DH alone cause they know what would be instore for them if they ever tried getting fiesty with him!
I am imagining you spray painting the roo pink........LOL

You are much nicer than me, sounds horrible but I would have either wringed his neck of smashed it with the cement block.
I don't put up with crap, especially from a bullying male!

There is a really great thread about keep roos sane. I also saw an article in a poultry magazine about keeping a mini goat in the pen to keep the roo in his place.

I can relate to problem roos', DH got rid of the RIReds because the roo was attacking visitors, including kids. One of the reasons that roo never bothered me was that I used to pick him up and pet him when he was a chick. AND I continued to handle him as he grew up.

With the current batch (1 RIRed roo and a Dominque roo) I have continued to handle them at night, every chance I get. The Dominque roo (Samson) is terrified of humans, I got him that way and I'm glad he's not a problem. The other (Roo Two) is going to a home where he will have to contend with 2 dogs who are known chicken killers. He should hold his own, his daddy certainly did.

I'd also recommend that after you net the roo, see if you can pick him up and carry him around. That way you are proving your bigger than he is.

good luck
Kitty