3 week old chick - crossbeak / scissor beak getting severe - euthanasia?e

[starri33]

It's hard enough to find homes for perfect cockerels around here.... Everyone wants pullets. I can wait a week or so to see if the comb gets more obvious. I have 2 from this hatch that are definite Cockerels , the rest I can't tell for sure yet.

Please do what you feel is best, I know a lot of folks would not, but you have to do what is best for you, if I would chose to cull if it were mine, I think there are a lot more things that could go wrong besides having trouble eating. A challenge for him if it turns out to be a him, is being a Roo, unless he's kept by himself, he's going to have to at some point defend himself, even against hens, my roo has no health issues and some of my hens beat him up.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

It's not murder, I'm sorry you feel that way. It's culling, euthanasia, dispatching, or processing... depending on the final outcome. Murder is something that humans do to another human. It's out of cold blood or anger. Not out of concern or caring.

It's also not giving up on them. It's making a difficult decision to do what the keeper thinks is right for them and their flock.

I kept the first deformed female bird I hatched after a power outage. The deformed male was got by a predator before his time to head to freezer camp. Never again.

There are lots of roosters without deformities looking for good homes too.

Bless your heart for you tender perspective!

Learning about life and death and how to accept them are key lessons on any farm. I'm thankful to have the skill to help out a hen should she ever face emergent need due to injury or illness. And so grateful to know where my food comes from and how it was treated every single day including that very last moment and even after wards.

I personally believe murder is killing anything who does not want to die. I do however believe euthanasia is necessary if suffering.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

Look up bluffthecrossbeak on Instagram! And I think trimming or filing could help, it definitely helped when we had one!

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

@Livingskies would you hug 'scissors' for me? Tell him I'm rooting for him!

 

[Livingskies]

Bluff the crossbeak is amazing!!! I love him!!!!
Lightning got lots of snuggles today

 

[JadeFarms]

Chickens like this can live from crossbeak this severe, I know from experience. If you trim and help it eat and drink, it should live.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Where are you located? I wonder if someone on BYC would be willing to adopt if in your neck if the woods.

 

[cottontail farm]

Where are you located? I wonder if someone on BYC would be willing to adopt if in your neck if the woods.

This is the route I'd go if you try to rehome him. I've had success buying and selling off of Craigslist but you really do have to screen people if you're trying to rehome something "lower value " like a rooster. A good start is to charge about $10 for it, not give it away free.
I would rather cull an animal myself than give it to someone who might think it fun to let the dog have have at it, etc.
No one wants to think of these things but unfortunately we all have to.
I did have a chick hatched here with cross beak and ended up culling it. Not the best outcome but unfortunately not the worst as there are some real inhumane peoplenout there.

 

[CrazyCochin]

I know what having a chick with scissor beak feels like, because I had one exactly like that. Her name was Hera and she was the sweetest chick ever. She lived a shorter but happy life. I was devastated when I lost her on my birthday. Best wishes to you and your chick.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Yep, there's some real creeps put there that I wouldn't give a worm to. Try seeing if there's a farm animal sanctuary near you. Call the Humane Society even? Some real animal lover. Even call your local animal shelter. I would try one of those before listing him for sale. If you do list him, put a price on him. Say you will be choosy as to his new owner as you are concerned for his future safety and be sure to say 'serious inquires' only. If the people who inquire about him are near you, maybe drive by their house and see if it's nice or dumpy looking with a bunch of mangy mutts around. I know it sounds like a lot of trouble, but if you love your animal, you'll want to ensure they go to a loving, trustworthy home.