Arizona Chickens

[MagicChicken]

I remember that, Angelray! DH is on his way home right now. We're a team like that...he does all the dirty work. I actually don't think the chick is in too much pain right now. It sleeps and doesn't complain when I give it the water/electrolytes. However, the splint slipped off and the leg dislocated again. Popping it back in DOES cause it pain, and I'm not even sure it's going back into a proper position. So DH is going to cull it when he gets home. I gave it my best shot at saving it, but with such a severe dislocation, I'm sure it has tendon ruptures and ligament damage. In the slim chance that it would recover, it would be a long, painful road for both of us. Then it would probably be a cockerel and we'd have to process it anyway

I wonder if something grabbed by the leg and gave it a good shaking? Sorry you have to cull it. But that is what I would do.

 

[City farm]

Four chicks so far, more on the way!

Crazy blue photo..:yiipchick

 

[City farm]

One of my week old New Hampshires dislocated its hip sometime late yesterday. I have no idea what happened, but this am when I checked, one of its legs was facing completely the wrong direction. There was some bruising on the foot and the hock. It's definitely the hip. I was able to put a little traction on and rotate it around. I felt a small pop and the joint felt better, more like the other side. I put a splint on, like for spradle leg and have it inside under the EcoGlow. I was able to give it a bit of water, but it's pretty weak. Just laying down with its eyes closed. DH is not home and I've never culled a chick before, I'm not sure how to do it I'm just trying to make it as comfortable as possible until he gets home. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

Ahweee that really sucks... Poor thing plus you..
Probably got stuck, if you think the chick is really suffering.. Freezer it is slow & painless..

 

[Arizonachicken]

Freezer? Really? I'd have an easier time giving it a quick death. I couldn't stand it knowing that little chick was slowly freezing to death. BTW, DH did cull it when he got home.

 

[pastrymama]

Petra,
I had a duck injure a newly hatched duckling last year in a similar manner. It was fine the night before but in the morning, I found it with half its leg missing and all bruised like that. it was bleeding from the hip and obviously in shock. I had to do the deed myself and then called up Laree at work and screamed at her! it had nothing to do with her, but she's good like that. I can beat on her and she still loves me.

sorry about the chick

 

[cbnovick]

On a happier note...here's one of my broodies with her two chicks that hatched from our own eggs.

And here are the other week old New Hampshires with their new mama.

Petra, I would have culled it too...accidents happen sometimes...I've had to cull both chicks and chickens due to injury/accidents etc. Never easy but sometimes it's absolutely necessary.

 

[MagicChicken]

Quote:
Yes, it is much more colorful in the photo than in real life. It's a used (and heavily scrubbed and disinfected) cat litter box. In person it seems a lot more faded!

 

[nwebber]

I'm no chef, but my girls sure think so!!!

 

[City farm]

One of my week old New Hampshires dislocated its hip sometime late yesterday. I have no idea what happened, but this am when I checked, one of its legs was facing completely the wrong direction. There was some bruising on the foot and the hock. It's definitely the hip. I was able to put a little traction on and rotate it around. I felt a small pop and the joint felt better, more like the other side. I put a splint on, like for spradle leg and have it inside under the EcoGlow. I was able to give it a bit of water, but it's pretty weak. Just laying down with its eyes closed. DH is not home and I've never culled a chick before, I'm not sure how to do it I'm just trying to make it as comfortable as possible until he gets home. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?

I have no experience with a dislocated hip or anything, but everyone here knows I'm completely blunt in life, so here goes...  Culling an injured chick is the easiest thing to do because they are so weak and can not fight back at all.  If you are wanting to cull him, there are several quick and easy ways.  The first is to take a large, sharp kitchen knife and simply severe the head with one motion, just like you would be cutting a cucumber or carrot.  It's immediate and painless.  Another option is to use a hatchet and chop the head off in the classic method.  If you have a good, sharp pair of handheld pruning shears, you can use them to completely cut the head off as well.  All are very quick and painless methods.

I do want to state that I would not think that this would be an injury necessary to cull for already.  I think the care you took for relocating the hip and splinting the leg were excellent.  Give it a homemade mixture of Pedialyte to help it recover better.  Once it becomes a little more responsive, you can try soft foods like yogurt (with live cultures preferably), raw milk or scrambled eggs.  That should help immensely.  If you don't already have one, go to your feed store and get a feeding syringe to help force-feed the poor little chick.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Completely blunt in life is the best way to be... In my opion anyway...

 

[Demosthine]

Freezer? Really? I'd have an easier time giving it a quick death. I couldn't stand it knowing that little chick was slowly freezing to death. BTW, DH did cull it when he got home.

Actually, I hear extreme hypothermia and freezing to death is the best way to go. You do get extremely cold and shiver for a few minutes, but then the circulation is decreased to your extremities in order to maintain your core temperature. About the time that happens, you feel significantly warmer and cozy before drifting off to sleep for the final time. Not a terrible way to die.