a tough topic, but, just in case, culling newly hatched babies

[thunderwagn]

I guess I don't understand why its such a difficult topic. I think if people choose to raise and especially hatch chicks, culling is a reality. Its just a part of it. If I got a chick that just isn't right and not doing well, I don't make a big drawn out deal of it. Euthanizing a chick or any animal that is not doing well is the most humane thing you can generally do and goes hand in hand with owning animals. Its the responsible thing to do. I have no issues with snapping a quick neck or using a shovel. Done deal. Take it out back and let the coyotes or owls have the remains.

 

[quintinp]

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well... i know for some it is reality that they have to cull chicks, but it isn't hard for everyone, having to take away a life is never painless, nor would it just be something a humane person would ever want to do...... but for some it doesn't come as a very big deal, but for a lot of the people who would want to reply on this post would not enjoy this type of thing, But as you said it is reality

 

[MandyH]

Hold the chicks body in one hand and the head in the other, firmly, BUT NOT TO HARD, pull and twist the head in one motion and it's over. Pulling too hard leaves a bloody mess, but still a quick death.

 

[f8thnjc]

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Thank you! It is NOT all about us, and our comfort. It is the chick that is dying, not us. Our comfort is not important. We are to be good stewards with what we have been entrusted with. There are only a few things you could do that would be instant pain relief for the chick. Choose one of those.

 

[GreenGoddess]

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YES! Approved and official ways to put animals down are largely human centric too, which is why gas chambers are still used on animals. A solid black box gas chamber is much easier to look at than a clear one, since in a clear one, you can see the little animals jump around and gasp their last air.

Suck it up, break it's neck right, or chop off the head. Remove the brain from the body and the job is done before you or them knows it.

I *almost* agree with you.... I will never ever ever ever ever (did I say ever?? lol) try to break a chicks neck... Late summer last year I had a 2-3 month old chick eat so much that it's crop got impacted (he was fine beforehand).. It's face was turning blue as it gasped for air and I tried to give it a small amount of olive oil and massage the crop but it didn't work.. I didn't have the necessary items to do a surgery (I do now!) so culling was my only choice... I walked outside as broke it's neck.. I heard a "snap" and the chick went limp... About 10 seconds later, the chick picked it's head back up... I panicked and needless to say, this happened a few more times... I was shaking and almost in tears.. i finally put it on the ground and tried one last time and ended up decapitating it with my own two hands... It was the most horrible experience I've ever been through... Once I calmed down, I realized I could have just used the shovel since it was brand new and sharp but because I panicked, I didn't think of it... It was then that I made sure I had a nice sharp pair of scissors for chicks and sharpened the blade on my machete for older chickens if I ever need it... So far, I've only had to cull chicks but am prepared for anything now...

Goddess

 

[GreenGoddess]

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Please don't get me wrong... I do not enjoy culling a chick nor do I wish the deed upon anyone.. But as stated above, it is a very sad reality when you are bringing life into the world.. With life, comes death.. Those who cannot accept that fact simply should not be hatching out chicks... I know many will not agree with that statement but it's a simple fact.. we are taking a very natural process and doing it in a very unnatural environment.. There will be hatchlings with birth defects no matter how hard we try to prevent them.. Because we take on the responsibility of "creating life", we also need to take on the responsibility of ending it when necessary as well...

Goddess

 

[thunderwagn]

well... i know for some it is reality that they have to cull chicks, but it isn't hard for everyone, having to take away a life is never painless, nor would it just be something a humane person would ever want to do...... but for some it doesn't come as a very big deal, but for a lot of the people who would want to reply on this post would not enjoy this type of thing, But as you said it is reality

It is not enjoyable. Just a necessity. GreenGoddess states its perfectly.

Please don't get me wrong... I do not enjoy culling a chick nor do I wish the deed upon anyone.. But as stated above, it is a very sad reality when you are bringing life into the world.. With life, comes death.. Those who cannot accept that fact simply should not be hatching out chicks... I know many will not agree with that statement but it's a simple fact.. we are taking a very natural process and doing it in a very unnatural environment.. There will be hatchlings with birth defects no matter how hard we try to prevent them.. Because we take on the responsibility of "creating life", we also need to take on the responsibility of ending it when necessary as well...​

 

[fishnchix]

ETHER. It is a sweet smell, they go to sleep, it is over very fast.
The starter fluid in a margarine tub is ether.
I realize everyone has to live with their own choices, but decapitation is not something I could do.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

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It's the "pull hard BUT NOT TOO HARD" with chicks is why I prefer the ether route. A grown bird I can snap their neck pretty easily and not make a graphic mess. A new chick I find it very hard to do it just enough without pulling their head entirely off.

So long as it's certain and quick there are many methods that can be made to work.

 

[farmer_mark]

Sorry to dig up an old thread. But I've been scouring BYC for culling advice. I'm sure most breeders routinely cull their chicks, but not much info is out there on the subject.

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Would a pair of pruners be effective for culling chicks? I have a broody hatching out in 9 days and want to be prepared in case I need to cull. I have a pair of very sharp felco pruners, but use them for gardening. I don't think I could stomach using the same pair for culling. I would like to go buy a cheaper pair of pruners. I do have scissors, but I'm not confident they would work well.

What do people do with the remains of culled chicks?