4 w/o unable to walk or stand: cull or continue care?

[starlingdaly]

I posted this in a different thread but didn't get many replies so thought I would give it a thread of it's own:

I need your opinions on a chick I have:
A while back my vitamin supplement for the chicks oxidized from improper storage and with the weeks of nearly nonstop rain we had, they didn't get to go outside so they developed a vitamin D deficiency.
The older chicks pulled through once I figured it out and some of the younger ones died but overall, I fixed it in time.
However, one chick (a speckled Sussex) had spent too much of it's vitamin deficiency time laying down and when the deficiency was fixed, her bones strengthened in a bent form that renders her possibly permanent unable to walk.
She does get around with her wings and beak and eats and drinks like a normal chick. She does have stunted growth but several of the deficiency chicks do. She is the worst though and the only survivor to not make a full recovery.

My dilemma is, should I continue to allow her to exist in my brooder because she does not seem to be in any obvious discomfort, nor is she lacking in anything other than the use of her legs.
Or is it more humane to euthanize?

I need opinions because I keep questioning my motives either way as selfish (selfish to force her to live in less than ideal conditions or selfish by ending her life when she could continue on just fine)

It saddens me everytime I see her. I made a sling recently to see if a gradual standing practice would help, but her bones are bent to the point her legs cross when relaxed, preventing normal standing or walking.

Thanks guys, for your thoughts...

 

[realsis]

Personally in my own opinion I would let her live and continue to treat her. sometimes vitamin defiencies take longer than others to cure. She still might bounce back.I have one that had a vitamin E defiency and she ended up with wry neck after almost a month of treatment she is now lifting her head thank God! But my point is sometimes it takes time and a lot of patience with defiencies. I'm quite certain others would have likely culled my bird. she had her head between her legs and was flipping backwards at first she couldn't eat and when she started eating with assistance she would fall asleep in her food every minute. But I didn't give up and now thank God she holds up her head and is on the road to recovery
So don't be so quick to give up on her
That's just my opinion..I'd give her more time
And I would likely choose life unless she is suffering and is in pain
If she's not in pain or suffering I would choose life. I hope this helps. I know its only a opinion. And others might not agree but that's what I'd do
Best wishes

 

[starlingdaly]

Personally in my own opinion I would let her live and continue to treat her. sometimes vitamin defiencies take longer than others to cure. She still might bounce back.I have one that had a vitamin E defiency and she ended up with wry neck after almost a month of treatment she is now lifting her head thank God! But my point is sometimes it takes time and a lot of patience with defiencies. I'm quite certain others would have likely culled my bird. she had her head between her legs and was flipping backwards at first she couldn't eat and when she started eating with assistance she would fall asleep in her food every minute. But I didn't give up and now thank God she holds up her head and is on the road to recovery
So don't be so quick to give up on her
That's just my opinion..I'd give her more time
And I would likely choose life unless she is suffering and is in pain
If she's not in pain or suffering I would choose life. I hope this helps. I know its only a opinion. And others might not agree but that's what I'd do
Best wishes

Thank for your thoughts! It really does help.
So far one has said cull and you have said care.
I would live for her to recover. My only worry is that she will not. She doesn't APPEAR to be in any pain, but I'm also not a chicken mind reader.

 

[Mehjr10]

I would have to cull. Tough to do but, if she does not improve it would be a challenge to deal with on a daily basis. JMO. Good luck.

 

[casportpony]

I often have this dilemma, so I think back to what one of my dog vets said when I had a very sick dog... She said "you'll know when it's time".

-Kathy

 

[realsis]

Yes its a very personal decision and ultimately up to you to decide.. I'm sure you will make the decision that is right for you. You can only do what YOU feel is right. I always choose life unless they are in pain and suffering and you can usually tell that's the case because they won't eat and are miserable. But that's just me. Only you can decide what's best for You. I've put my vote in and others might not agree. But what ever your decision I truly wish you the best!

 

[starlingdaly]

Cull: 2
Care: 1
Listen to your heart: 2

Thank you, everyone who has posted so far.

 

[casportpony]

I should add that I am one to try everything possible first, so that probably puts me in the heart and care category. Got one in my house right now... he can't walk and never will, and he's so big that he can't use his wings to move, so he sits in one spot all day with food in front of him, but he knocks over water, so he gets tube fed water. I know it's time...

-Kathy

 

[starlingdaly]

Here are some pictures if it helps:
She spent so much time sitting with soft bones that her leg bones have no molded to the shape of her body but are no longer flexible. I just noticed her toes do not straighten out all the way from sitting curled for so long.

 

[casportpony]

Maybe you could try some very aggresive bracing and PT? If her condition gets worse, I doubt she'll ever get better.

-Kathy