Fate of unwanted birds

[GregH]

I've been wondering lately just what people do when birds have to be disposed of? I'm not think of giving up or what my wife will do with my birds should I die but what happens to all the unsellable mixed zebs, one-legged star finches, accidental hypbrid Poephila progeny, known star gazers and the like? Production aviculture doesn't always go the way we want it to and then the resultant birds must be removed from the flock if it's managed properly. Ideally if we follow nature we'd "sacrifice" these animals immediately but I'm not even sure what's legally possible let alone able to stomached by the bird's owner. Certainly we're not going to pay a vet $60 to euthanise every worthless bird that pops up but I do know you can't feed it live to your pet carpet-snake. I hope this topic doesn't raise the ire of the RSPCA or PETA but how do you kill a bird humanely, economically and legally?

[Trilobite]

Humanely = Cervical dislocation or Asphyxiation
Economically = above
Legally = not sure if you technically need to be qualified as a back yarder as some states have model codes of practice etc

[gomer]

Cervical dislocation works for me.Although its not the nicest thing to preform it certainly is the quickest.You dont need much strength to preform this on a finch either.Only a strong stomach is required.

[Trilobite]

Hey Gomer your 100% on the money with the strong stomach - I just cant do it, just doesn't feel right anymore.

[Niki_K]

I have always managed to sell my zebs via gumtree to people who want a pair for their kids. Fortunately, I also have a contact who has a very large aviary and is happy to take unwanted birds, so she's ended up with a few of my one-legged and old birds! I carry out cervical dislocation where necessary, but it isn't something I enjoy.

[finchbreeder]

Round here they get to live out their days in a holding avairy. Only if they are in pain do I talk nice to someone with a stronger stomache than me.
LML

[GregH]

I'm hearing a few "strong stomach" concerns but is it something we need to overcome? I have a holding cage full of of uncoloured gouldians and adding further unwanted birds would further stress both these and those marked as unwanted so this is not a solution for everyone. I found a good veterinary discussion of animal euthanasia but this whole area is so taboo that not even the government's sites that talk about animal welfare even mention the need to, methods or legal obligations for the hobbyist managing their flock in order to maintain health, conformation, genetic integrity prevention of suffering or even unsustainable allocation of resources. You won't find "how to break the neck of a canary" on Youtube but it should be there. Perhaps this should be something our veterinarians would like to comment on (anonymously of course)?

[Tiaris]

A quick throw onto a hard surface isn't difficult & is as humane (instant) as any other technique. Nothing at all wrong, immoral or illegal about swiftly ending the suffering of a severely injured or ill animal. Just part of the role of a responsible bird-keeper IMO.

[gomer]

I may have to perform a Cervical dislocation on a Bird in the coming week.This bird has a damaged wing and may never fly,I am waiting to see if it comes good,Its not looking to promising at the moment. I dont know if I would like to the the first one to put it on youtube I would imagine alot of people wouldnt understand why this is being preformed.

[Craig52]

A quick throw onto a hard surface isn't difficult & is as humane (instant) as any other technique. Nothing at all wrong, immoral or illegal about swiftly ending the suffering of a severely injured or ill animal. Just part of the role of a responsible bird-keeper IMO.

I agree with Tiaris as this is what i do and so do most other breeders i know,it's not talked about or advertised. Craig