Best way to cull a chick?

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Hollyoak Ranch

Hollyoak Ranch

Chirping
Nov 19, 2010
14
1
84
Nor Cal
We have a deformed two day old chick. The problem is on one leg. It is twisted so far in (pigeon toed) that it cannot get up let alone walk. I tried to brace the legs together as for spraddle legs to no avail. I now have a brace in between the legs made out of foam but it isn't working either. Already the other chicks are pecking and pouncing on it. If I hold it up, it will stand with my support but as soon as I let go, it falls. Feeling of the whole leg, I can feel the joint at the top of the leg pop in and out when I try to right the leg. It also feels larger than the other side - not normal. The problem is up close to where leg connects to body. I'm thinking the best thing to do at this point is to cull but... okay, yeah, I'm a farm girl and all but it pains me to have to kill them. So, what is the quickest, most humane way to cull baby chicks for both me and the chick? Thanks for any help.

Susan
 
I would guess that the quickest would be to break the neck. I have read here that some people snip the head off. I don't envy you in the least, I would have to defer this task to my DH.

Sorry for your sick chick.
 
i'm sorry you have to make this decision. there are several threads on this subject. i haven't had to do this myself but a friend of mine who raises chickens just snips the head off with lg scissors. he said it is so quick they don't even know what happened. i'm sure everyone has a theory but i would say look at some of the info and do whatever will be easiest for you to do and easy on the chick. good luck.
hugs.gif
 
A take a very sharp pair if scissors and cut the head off, instant death and no pain. The spine is very easy to break on such a young bird
hugs.gif
 
I'm sorry you have to cull.
sad.png
I agree with the above poster who suggested a quick snip with sharp scissors. That's the method that I use when I have to. It works very fast and is easy with delicate chicks. Be prepared for some motion after death, same as when you butcher an adult bird. It may help to wrap the chick in a small towel to avoid this if you think it will be upsetting to you.
hugs.gif
 
An alternative is engine starter spray, available at any automotive store. It is ether. I just fill a baggie with the spray, wait a minute to let the fumes build up in the closed bag and then put the chick into the bag holding the bag closed. It literally takes 1 second for the chick to die...just one inhalation of the fumes and it's over with. I just can't do the cutting thing. My daughter also uses ether and hides the whole process under a towel so she doesn't have to watch. FYI, you can use this for a full grown hen as well, but only the head will fit into the bag and it does take a bit longer(less than a minute though) for the hen to expire. But they do become unconscious after the first breath. Just be sure that the heart has stopped beating (you can feel it with your hand) before you let go.

It's never easy to euthanize an animal. (((((hugs)))))
 

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