Cull chick?

[Ridgerunner]

And if I should cull what way would be the least traumatic?

I forgot to answer your question. Least traumatic for you or for the chick?

My general answer is however you can. For the chick if it is quick and sure it doesn't matter. You do not want to hesitate or flinch. You could injure the chick instead of killing it or you could injure yourself. You don't want either of those.

You could slit the throat and let it bleed out. I don't do that but many people use that method when they butcher chickens. If done properly they think it is a peaceful death. You can remove the head. It is kind of small for the hatchet and stump method but that could work if you are sure of yourself. One method for chicks is to cut off the head. You can use poultry shears, pruning shears, pruning loppers, or even scissors. If you take the head off cleanly you cut the nerves so it feels no pain. It may kick and such but that's just nerves firing with no connection to the brain.

Frankly, if you could immediately crush it the chick would feel no pain but that would be traumatic to me.

 

[Mill Chick]

I’ll add this little tip for anyone hatching chicks: when they’re still absorbing their yolk sac and looking a bit wobbly in those first 24 hours, apple juice can be a gentle lifesaver. Just a drop (I use a syringe) of natural, no-sugar-added apple juice can help hydrate them and give a quick boost of glucose and vitamins. It’s easy to find, easy to use, and way better than trying to force-feed them something complicated when they’re still figuring out how their feet work. You can also just microwave some chopped up apple and water in the microwave- and tada! apple juice. Apple cider vinegar is hard on the crop, so I would avoid unless there is a definate fungal infection and the chick is 7 days old.

Think of it like a baby smoothie—just a drop to perk them up as they transition from fluffy egg blob to actual chick-in-charge. Ive used it on parrots for decades.

I gave him a couple of drops of apple juice and I’ll give him some more in a hour or two than maybe offer some food?

 

[CabritaChicks]

I forgot to answer your question. Least traumatic for you or for the chick?

My general answer is however you can. For the chick if it is quick and sure it doesn't matter. You do not want to hesitate or flinch. You could injure the chick instead of killing it or you could injure yourself. You don't want either of those.

You could slit the throat and let it bleed out. I don't do that but many people use that method when they butcher chickens. If done properly they think it is a peaceful death. You can remove the head. It is kind of small for the hatchet and stump method but that could work if you are sure of yourself. One method for chicks is to cut off the head. You can use poultry shears, pruning shears, pruning loppers, or even scissors. If you take the head off cleanly you cut the nerves so it feels no pain. It may kick and such but that's just nerves firing with no connection to the brain.

Frankly, if you could immediately crush it the chick would feel no pain but that would be traumatic to me.

Yes, you can offer food if the chick is up and wobbling around. But remember—these little fluff nuggets come with their own built-in lunchbox: the yolk sac. They spend the first 24–48 hours absorbing that, so there's no rush to throw them a feast.

By day 2, if they’re standing, it’s a great time to introduce food. Don’t be offended if they ignore it at first—He's new here. If you’ve got chick starter feed, crush it a bit- , mix it with a little warm water, and voilà: a 5-star mush. Offer wet and dry.

So yes, offer food—but don’t panic if they aren’t into it right away. Never force a chick to eat unless you are a professional- Aspiratioo is a risk (I see it too often). Hydration comes first, food comes second, and sass… well, that’s built-in.

(Edit: I am using they/them/him/he... I have no idea of the sex, lol, but Im going off what you said).

 

[Mill Chick]

His eyes also seem to be closed all the time although he does open them occasionally.

 

[Mill Chick]

Thanks for responding everyone!

 

[CabritaChicks]

Thanks for responding everyone!

checking that the heat is appropriate?
Still in incubator or brooder?

 

[Mill Chick]

I put him in a larger incubator in a small bowl to keep him upright and have the temperature at 37 Celsius

 

[Mill Chick]

I put him in a larger incubator in a small bowl to keep him upright and have the temperature at 37 Celsius

Here is a picture

(This incubator is not actually meant for hatching eggs but it works)

 

[Mill Chick]

I should be able to pick up some poultry cell today how much should I give?

 

[Mill Chick]

He is doing a lot better! I have been giving him a couple drops of apple juice every hour and he even pecked a tiny bit of food on my finger! I stuck 2 chicks in the bottom of his incubator so he can cheep along with them.