Cull or not?

[michickenwrangler]

One of my hens has been feather and toe picking so bad she actually picked off the tip of one of my hens toes! Poor thing.

She's also been harrassing the rooster and been picking the neck feathers of other hens.

I want her gone, but I don't really want to kill her and don't want to foist her onto someone else. She's just relentless. My hens have been getting meat scraps and it takes them awhile to eat the meat and I thought they could use a protein boost. Getting 16% layer feed.

I'll cull if I have to, but I don't want her to peck someone to death first while I hem and haw.

DH and DD don't want to eat a "pet".

Not sure what to do.

 

[Roy]

I would at least isolate her from the others until a decision is made, stick her in a dog crate or something by herself so at least the pecking stops...

 

[mrslb333]

Your only other option is to separate her from the others

 

[Minniechickmama]

Unless she is some special girl or a prize possession, I would cull her.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
We're supposed to get down to single digits again. I don't have anything warm enough to isolate her in. I may just have to get up early to "do the deed"

 

[Roy]

Quote:
We're supposed to get down to single digits again. I don't have anything warm enough to isolate her in. I may just have to get up early to "do the deed"

Then I would "do the deed" as quickly as possible...

 

[dsqard]

Can you separate her long enough to get pinless peepers? If you google them you will find them. Could you put her in a crate in your garage? She should be OK in there by herself until you can get those or get rid of her.

 

[michickenwrangler]

What is the best way to "do the deed" quickly without any blood. I'm not very skilled with a gun. SHould I do the Damerow method and break her neck with a broom handle? Is it normal to feel sad, guilty and queasy?

 

[trunkman]

Quote:
I was brought up and taught that an animal was put on this earth for food and to raise them for that, yes I do have a hard time ending their life and do feel quilty and sad about it but when it comes to me or an animal, I win. It's survival.

 

[sourland]

Separate her from the flock for a week. This should "demote" her. Reintroduce, expect some fighting and pecking. If she goes back to her old ways, cull her.