Advice on culling to creating good, strong breeding stock. Am I a monster?

[Hannahnic14]

This may not be a popular subject so if you want to argue please move elsewhere We are trying to homestead and be more self sufficient and I am realizing that that doesn't leave room for sickly/weak chickens. If we want good, strong, healthy stock then we really need to cull any birds that don't live up to that standard.

I have 2 roosters that have been chronically ill. We've had alot of nasty weather and a bout with respiratory issues. All my birds have recovered nicely with the exception of these 2 roosters. We have consulted professionals and done several rounds of antibiotics and these 2 just haven't recovered. They are healthy otherwise, running around, crowing etc. I have double and triple checked my husbandry and I am doing my part. Clean coops, good quality feed, etc. They just have chronically nasty eyes and sound congested.

They are quarantined from the rest of the flock and have been for several weeks. My question is, am I a monster for deciding to cull weak birds? Or is that just a natural part of the process of creating good healthy stock. I really don't want weak genes passed down to my chicks.

Homesteading doesnt really leave room to babysit sick ones. I treat as well as possible and everyone gets a fair chance. Thanks in advance and no hate please.

 

[MysteryChicken]

If your first couple birds are chronically sick with a possible respiratory illness, then the rest of your birds have already been infected.

 

[Hannahnic14]

If your first couple birds are chronically sick with a possible respiratory illness, then the rest of your birds have already been infected.

So are we looking at culling the entire flock? I've had these birds since March. I added these 2 roosters within the last 3 months. No issues until I got them, no one else has showed symptoms but I was advised to treat the entire flock.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So are we looking at culling the entire flock? I've had these birds since March. I added these 2 roosters within the last 3 months. No issues until I got them, no one else has showed symptoms but I was advised to treat the entire flock.

Well, you could keep a closed flock, & not bring in anymore. You could also attempt breed for immunity.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Well, you could keep a closed flock, & not bring in anymore. You could also attempt breed for immunity.

I have decided to not bring in any new adult birds, I had all kinds of issues with that last year. Being a newbie I didn't know any better.

So breeding for immunity, does that mean picking out the strongest birds to continue with?

 

[ShrekDawg]

If your first couple birds are chronically sick with a possible respiratory illness, then the rest of your birds have already been infected.

The other birds already had it and recovered though, no?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Also you’re not a monster. If anything, I would argue it may be worse to drag out their suffering. Although they don’t really seem to be suffering bad atm but still. That can’t be fun for them having those issues. I would definitely cull the roosters.

 

[MysteryChicken]

The other birds already had it and recovered though, no?

If it's MG, then they'll remain carriers of the Disease.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Also you’re not a monster. If anything, I would argue it may be worse to drag out their suffering. Although they don’t really seem to be suffering bad atm but still. That can’t be fun for them having those issues. I would definitely cull the roosters.

Ok, thank you. I just don't want the rest of my flock to get reinfected and then have an endless cycle going on. The rest of my birds only had a few sneezes here and there.

 

[ShrekDawg]

If it's MG, then they'll remain carriers of the Disease.

Ahh that makes sense!!