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Euthanasia

Carbon dioxide

CO₂ for euthanasia is available in various procedural rooms within the animal facility. It is easy to use and is more aesthetically pleasing than other means of euthanasia such as cervical dislocation.

With the chamber closed, turn the CO2 on and allow the chamber to fill for about one minute.
Place the chicken(s) into the chamber, secure the cover, and leave the Co2 valve on until death occurs (about 1-5 minutes).
Once respiration has ceased and the eyes have become opaque, remove the chicken(s) from the chamber.
Check the animal(s) to insure that the heart has stopped before disposing of the carcass. This may be done by performing a thoracotomy.

Anesthetic Overdoses

Chickens may be euthanized with and overdose of general anesthetic given IP or IV. Specially formulated euthanasia solutions of high concentrations of barbiturates are commonly used. Since concentrations vary, tit is necessary to follow the dosing directions of the bottle. A common barbiturate for euthanasia is sodium pentobarbital given at 100mg/kg.

Physical methods

Physical methods of euthanasia are discouraged. If a physical method must be used, cervical dislocation is the only acceptable method for chickens at the Uconn Health Center.

Cervical Dislocation may be performed using an emasculator to sever the spinal cord in large chickens or by placing the animal on a flat surface, holding the head in one hand, and using the other hand to quickly over-extend the neck. Death is instantaneous. Check the chicken to insure that the heart has stopped prior to disposing of the carcass. This may be done by performing a thoracotomy.