Richard & Tresa
Active member
- Joined
- May 29, 2014
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 2
Are meat rabbits affected by witnessing "Dispatch?
Question came up because we just dispatched some old hens out of sight of our remaining hens... They stopped laying... I asked the same question on Backyard Chicken and the reply was that he dispatches meat chickens right in front of them. They pace back and forth anxiously waiting for meat to be given to them...
Our hens had the same reaction to our lawn mower... They used to be terrified of it, now they pace back and forth, following as close as possible when get to the edge of the run, all knowing that the grass catcher is emptied into the run for them.
But I wonder about rabbits... I built a captive bolt gun that works perfectly... Instant kills... Built a top hinged lid so I can get at them and they all go out peacefully (We pet ALL our rabbits, not just the breeders, toys, talking to... they all boink when we come near them and will drop their heads just to get petted, often foregoing treats until we've petted their heads for a while... Kills were silent, no squeals, but, They did "witness" the event...
Is it possible they were effected? Three on the porch awaiting their bus to freezer camp seemed a little upset, but not sure if I was just projecting... later that day, they were back to normal...
Any insights would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Richard & Tresa
Question came up because we just dispatched some old hens out of sight of our remaining hens... They stopped laying... I asked the same question on Backyard Chicken and the reply was that he dispatches meat chickens right in front of them. They pace back and forth anxiously waiting for meat to be given to them...
Our hens had the same reaction to our lawn mower... They used to be terrified of it, now they pace back and forth, following as close as possible when get to the edge of the run, all knowing that the grass catcher is emptied into the run for them.
But I wonder about rabbits... I built a captive bolt gun that works perfectly... Instant kills... Built a top hinged lid so I can get at them and they all go out peacefully (We pet ALL our rabbits, not just the breeders, toys, talking to... they all boink when we come near them and will drop their heads just to get petted, often foregoing treats until we've petted their heads for a while... Kills were silent, no squeals, but, They did "witness" the event...
Is it possible they were effected? Three on the porch awaiting their bus to freezer camp seemed a little upset, but not sure if I was just projecting... later that day, they were back to normal...
Any insights would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Richard & Tresa