Humane Euthanasia

[reptiledude987]

I agree with aaron on this co2 causes suffocation which isnt perfect but if the firsw whack dosent do it either then thats not good either. But at the end of the day for a single animal a whack is the most efficient for a larger amount co2 is easier. To me its 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

[guyabano]

Cervical dislocation. Quick and easy.

[marvelfreak]

I like to just bite the heads off.


Know but really a hammer work great. One whack and their skull is crushed.

[Tsubaki]

Originally Posted by guyabano

Cervical dislocation. Quick and easy.

^what i do, make use of a pencil for small prey, a spoon-handle for medium prey, and a broomstick for anything bunny sized. Place object in neck behind ears, press down (Hard enough so they don't get away, not so hard you hurt them) grab legs (or base of tail for small animals), pull in a quick jolt. Pull back and at a slight angle up. Out go the lights, no screaming, no twitching, no pain. Not even blood if you don't pull too hard, because you will end up with a headless prey if you do that. Practice on frozen thawed prey before actually trying! You can feel it if you successfully dislocated!

This is also the best way for culling you you want to keep the fur intact, a hunter/skinner taught me this trick.

[D Grade]

Ill stick to Co2, whether its more humane or not. I cant wack an animal (even a rodent) or dislocate/pop anything to kill it, just not in my bones (unless its a human or deadly animal trying to harm myself or my family, thats the exception). I think being humane enough to kill the rodent via Co2 before letting a snake crush it to death will suffice enough.

[bigsnakegirl785]

I'm not really sold on the whole CO2 thing, seems like a bad way to go for me. It's practical if you're culling large amounts, though, cervical dislocation isn't really realistic in that case.

I prefer cervical dislocation, if done right they won't even twitch. I grab the base of their tail with one hand, and right behind the head with the other, using just my forefinger and my thumb. Then I give a steady yank from the tail. If enough force is used, they die immediately and I don't see them twitching. That's just for rats, though, cervical dislocation by hand is not as easy with rabbits (they aren't a rodent, but they're another feeder). My father is the one that culls them, and he has a bar secured to the wall. He slides the rabbit's neck between the bar and the wall, and pulls down.

[knox]

Not to be insensitive, but in the end, whichever method you choose, the mouse always ends up as snake food.

Being constricted to the point that its blood pressure skyrockets, stops circulating, and bodily functions cease isn't very humane either. Natural course of prey and predator, sure. But humane? Nope.

[millertime89]

Originally Posted by knox

Not to be insensitive, but in the end, whichever method you choose, the mouse always ends up as snake food.

Being constricted to the point that its blood pressure skyrockets, stops circulating, and bodily functions cease isn't very humane either. Natural course of prey and predator, sure. But humane? Nope.

Funny you mention this... PetCo has a "feeder purchase" contract that they make you sign now for live prey. I found it *slightly* comical as they want you to treat the animal like a pet "until it is used for its intended purpose as food" (or it says something to that effect). The rat literally goes from the store, to a box, to the "dinner plate". I understand the intent but it seems just a tad ridiculous.

[Zelg]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

swinging by the tail is a terrible idea,ive seen people do that and they're left with a rats tail in their hand,and the rat scuttles off having just had it's tail ripped off,not a pretty sight and certainly not humane

not having a go mate,merely pointing out the downside of using the tail


cheers shaun

I just wanted to chime in on this post real quick. When I first started trying to go with rats for my BP, I picked up the rat by the tail and it began to spin. Because I wasnt too keen on the idea of having a mouse run around my home, I grabbed the tail tighter. Well wouldnt you know it, the little guy spun himself so hard and fast that he twisted the tip of his tail right off in my hand, fell to the ground and ran under my hockey equipment bag lol.

Most that I've handled have been fine but a mouse bit me once, drawing blood. I flicked my hand and almost threw him to the street (i peeked inside the box while getting outta my car. stupid stupid stupid.

Anyhow...yea rats do not care if they have their tails anymore apparently.

Another thing, I've killed rats by putting him in a bag and swinging it against something solid. Not a good idea as its messy and you have to get a good hit to kill them on hte first try. I also swung the bag once (ziplock gallon bag) and the bottom ripped and the rat went flying into my bathtub.


And now I feel like a dummy so Im going to bounce back out.

[dinosaurdammit]

WEARNING. Video link contains rat death but I try to explain as I do it and I have found this to be the most humane way for small numbers- larger numbers its easier to use gas and much more humane as you dont get sloppy. WARNING WARNING WARNING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5yOriBq1ls

[pinefamily]

There is a common misconception that using CO2 is barbaric, or cruel. It has been proven to be the most humane, and effective, way to kill a rat or mouse. The dislocation thing is fine, except on the odd occasion when it doesn't work out. Why do you think the commercial suppliers use CO2? Not just for cost-effective purposes, but rodents are still animals that need to be handled humanely, even in their mode of death.
There are several how-to plans on the net, but we simply use a sodastream machine, with a length of plastic tube coming off the spout, and put the other end in a plastic bag with the rodent in it. Two squirts, and it's all over in about 2 minutes. The smaller ones can sometimes take a bit longer, only because they take smaller breaths.

[D Grade]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

WEARNING. Video link contains rat death but I try to explain as I do it and I have found this to be the most humane way for small numbers- larger numbers its easier to use gas and much more humane as you dont get sloppy. WARNING WARNING WARNING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5yOriBq1ls

Yeah....no thanks. Ill stick to Co2.

[jossh27]

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

I like to just bite the heads off

Nobody else found this hilarious? I thought of Ozzy instantly!

[dinosaurdammit]

Originally Posted by pinefamily

There is a common misconception that using CO2 is barbaric, or cruel. It has been proven to be the most humane, and effective, way to kill a rat or mouse. The dislocation thing is fine, except on the odd occasion when it doesn't work out. Why do you think the commercial suppliers use CO2? Not just for cost-effective purposes, but rodents are still animals that need to be handled humanely, even in their mode of death.
There are several how-to plans on the net, but we simply use a sodastream machine, with a length of plastic tube coming off the spout, and put the other end in a plastic bag with the rodent in it. Two squirts, and it's all over in about 2 minutes. The smaller ones can sometimes take a bit longer, only because they take smaller breaths.

We dont do it because its not cost effective. Ive only botched one or two in the total time ive been doing my own and while I hate one or two has slipped through ive seen the effects of a mouse or rat that survived gassing and I assumed dead- come back and try to fight my animal. We did look into the soda machines but the refill where we are for the gas and the machine itself isnt cost effective for how infrequent we feed. I am not trying to say we forgo humane for cost- that isnt the case but for some its not cost effective

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by dinosaurdammit

..I am not trying to say we forgo humane for cost- that isnt the case but for some its not cost effective

You know the second half of that statement is a counter to the first half.