How to humanely dispatch a kit
No one ever wants to put down a baby bunny, but sometimes it is necessary to prevent suffering. As a responsible rabbit breeder you should never let a rabbit live in misery because you can't bring yourself to do anything about it. Muster up your courage and do what needs to be done. There are a few methods that can be used to dispatch a kit. Choose the one that works best for you.
Humane Dispatch: The following methods are considered humane if done correctly.
Humane Dispatch: The following methods are considered humane if done correctly.
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Bowl method - My preferred method - fast & easy. Works for kits up to 6 weeks old. I learned this method from my sister who worked at a pet store. The animal is killed instantly through cervical dislocation. It is often used to dispatch rats/mice for feeding snakes.
Lay the kit on a hard surface. Place an overturned bowl above its head and rest the lip of the bowl on its neck. In one smooth movement, press down on the bowl and pull the body up with the other hand. Make sure you pull hard enough to dislocate the neck. This may remove the head from the body. It is better to pull too hard than not hard enough.
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Bag method - Place kit in the bottom of a pillowcase or bag. Gather the top of the bag in your hand. Slam the bag quickly and sharply against pavement or cement. Repeat the movement to ensure the kit is dead.
Knife method - Works well for young kits up to 2 weeks old. Not recommended for older kits. Use a large sharp knife to quickly sever the head from the body.
CO2 Chamber - Not the best option for quick, simple dispatch. Considered humane, but unless you already have a CO2 chamber, it requires a lot of work and education to do it properly. Animals have been known to pass out and appear dead then revive later.
Knife method - Works well for young kits up to 2 weeks old. Not recommended for older kits. Use a large sharp knife to quickly sever the head from the body.
CO2 Chamber - Not the best option for quick, simple dispatch. Considered humane, but unless you already have a CO2 chamber, it requires a lot of work and education to do it properly. Animals have been known to pass out and appear dead then revive later.
Methods that are not humane: Please do not use the following methods - they are cruel and cause unnecessary suffering.
Freezing - The animal slowly dies of hypothermia. They can feel the ice crystals forming in their body. Very painful.
Blunt trauma - Hitting with a hammer or mallet provides too much margin for error. Death is rarely instantaneous.
Burn in a fire/ furnace - Ouch! Need I say more?
Drowning - Animal struggles and panics for 1-2 minutes desperately trying to get air - too long to be considered humane.
Let nature take its course - While this method is acceptable for minor injuries receiving treatment, it should never be used for serious injuries or infections. Letting nature take its course is cruel when the kit is obviously in pain with little or no hope of recovery.
Knife method on older kits - Not humane because the spine is strong enough to prevent a clean cut all the way though. Dispatch older kits the same way you process fryers.
Freezing - The animal slowly dies of hypothermia. They can feel the ice crystals forming in their body. Very painful.
Blunt trauma - Hitting with a hammer or mallet provides too much margin for error. Death is rarely instantaneous.
Burn in a fire/ furnace - Ouch! Need I say more?
Drowning - Animal struggles and panics for 1-2 minutes desperately trying to get air - too long to be considered humane.
Let nature take its course - While this method is acceptable for minor injuries receiving treatment, it should never be used for serious injuries or infections. Letting nature take its course is cruel when the kit is obviously in pain with little or no hope of recovery.
Knife method on older kits - Not humane because the spine is strong enough to prevent a clean cut all the way though. Dispatch older kits the same way you process fryers.
Brick House Acres Rabbitry - Frankfort, NY 13340 - (315) 737-5635