Another culling question- will ether work?

[tulie13]

Personally, since the little chick is showing such spunk, I'd have a hard time even THINKING about putting it down. Just hang in there - keep globbing the neosporin and praying. I bet you just end up with one funny-looking permanently bald chicken with a really cool story!!!

 

[Barrett Farm]

If you don't have the stomach to pull the plug, at least help the bird and get the bird's head closed up and let it start healing. It just looks big because the skin is heavy with feathers and gravity pulls it down making it look open and bigger than it is. Once that skin is pulled together you have lots of options depending on your skill and what you want to spend. You can put in stitches but unless you have experience doing this you will need a vet and it may not be cost effective. An alternative is a butterfly closure (the feathers make that option impossible) this is why I use crazy glue. I used it years ago on a Great Dane that ripped open her side on a piece of poultry wire. Now surgeons use it too! And you can buy a more expensive version for people at your drug store. Keep the wound moist with Neosporin so it heals from the inside to the outside. (Prevents infection and absesses) The bird will heal and you can put the sqweamish idea of culling aside.

Just a note...At some point you might want to research or reconsider this hobby for you if this creates so much concern. There are many things that have to be done and not all of them are pretty.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I know that there are things that have to be done and that they aren't pretty. I have already done all sorts of them and will continue to do more. I just draw the line at whacking off an animals head. I personally can't do that. I understand that culling is sometimes the most humane thing to do. I am just trying to find an option that I can do by myself and that I can live with afterwards. It is all about stopping suffering. I am not convinced that I can do the cervical snap or the head whacking correctly and thus would end up causing more suffering in the end. If there is a reasonable alternative choice, then that is what I want. The purpose of this thread was to explore some of those options with people that might have tried them.

As for this guy, I will check his head again tonight and see if there is any improvement. He is already calmer than I thought he would be. Perhaps he can be saved in the end. If not, I need to be prepared with a final solution.

Thanks to those who have helped. I have a call in to the vet and we will be discussing additional possibilities.

 

[Barrett Farm]

How much did you pay for this chick?

What is the vet bill going to cost you just for the visit not considering any treatment costs?

 

[HippieChickens]

.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

for you and the lil'Roo.

I have no advise, just sympathy. If I was closer, I would be *happy* to help you out if culling is what you decide. (Not happy

but

happy)

 

[DawnSuiter]

I just wanted to say, that a couple of my young chicks have recovered from what I was CERTAIN would be life ending injuries...

one GLW recovered at 5 weeks old from having her neck ripped completely open from the top... I could see clear down into her neck, veins, muscle & bones. I put her in a clean cage with vitamin water and food, and she recovered all on her own. No goop, no meds... just clean stress free space.

repeat for a couple other injuries and presto.. haven't lost one yet. I am surprised by how resilient they are really.

so... if you think there is a chance... GIVE them a chance... they might surprise you.

 

[mitchell3006]

I am inclined to let anything that is trying to, live. I have seen some truly amazing looking head injuries heal in fowl. Clean it as best you can. Treat it with antibacterial (I use iodine. I know it burns but it has a residual effect that others don't. That's why Drs use it on surgery sights.). Then keep the little one seperate for a few days to heal. If you put it back with others you may start a picking problem with them. He may be ugly but give him a chance if he is trying to live. The only problem is he may become too much of a pet to eat later after you work on him this much.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
Aint that the truth. Mine become permanent residents for sure.

 

[lauralou]

Oh, CityGirl, I am so sorry! So very, very sorry.

I think you have done the right thing by calling your vet. I hope that he has good advice for you, or will offer to help you out at a discounted price.

However this turns out, I'm behind you 100%. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you.