Deformed chicks I need to cull.

[Solanacae]

Ether was used as an early sedative for surgeries. Obviously not in lethal doses, but it allowed surgeons to operate on a patient who was not screaming in pain with every step of the procedure. That was considered a plus, though I’m sure there was plenty of pain afterwards. I’m not sure of how similar chicken biology is in this respect, but it would likely render the animal unconscious before the animal dies of asphyxiation.

If you are not intending to eat the bird in question, this could be an easier option for someone who is squeamish with cervical dislocation or decapitation.

 

[early riser]

They are a week old now and it's only getting worse.
Will that work at their age, I hate using a axe and I have to cull 6

I know it sounds terrible but I put them down in lukewarm water. It’s over very fast with no real struggle. My father almost drowned as a young boy. He said it must be the most peaceful way to die. Think how ethereal it is to swim under water. Take care and best of luck.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I know it sounds terrible but I put them down in lukewarm water. It’s over very fast with no real struggle. My father almost drowned as a young boy. He said it must be the most peaceful way to die. Think how ethereal it is to swim under water. Take care and best of luck.

It would not be ethereal for chickens. They are not meant to swim at all.

 

[Isadora]

I know it sounds terrible but I put them down in lukewarm water. It’s over very fast with no real struggle. My father almost drowned as a young boy. He said it must be the most peaceful way to die. Think how ethereal it is to swim under water. Take care and best of luck.

Drowning is agonizing. It may be ethereal to swim underwater but certainly not to breathe water into your lungs.

 

[early riser]

Drowning is agonizing. It may be ethereal to swim underwater but certainly not to breathe water into your lungs.

Personally I’ve never drowned. I’m only making a judgement based on my father’s experience and my own experience with two deformed chicks and a very aggressive rooster. No flailing or blood or botched kills. Over quietly and quickly

 

[NaperLix]

Many creatures thrive,even when not perfect.

 

[Silkie Princess]

Drowning is NOT peaceful

 

[early riser]

Many creatures thrive,even when not perfect.

I agree. In my case the chicks had been paralyzed for over two weeks. The thought of Mareks was looming. Found out chick food was out of date by TWO years. Had gotten at a reliable dealer. Who knows. It’s not alway easy being the keeper of the Heavens and the Earth

 

[chickencoop57]

I copied the whole thing, I hope this isn’t plagarism
thanks @Redhead Rae
————-
*No chicks were harmed in the writing of this article*

Whether you hatch your own chicks, order them from a hatchery, or buy them from a feed store, sometimes, something just goes wrong.

The chick doesn't thrive and just goes slowly downhill despite efforts to help.
View attachment 2962241
An injury or genetic malformation compromises a chicks quality of life or mobility



Or the chick just gets sick.

No matter the cause, you decide you need to cull the chick to save it from suffering.

Most experts agree that cervical dislocation (when done effectively) is the best way to cull a chick. The question is how do people who are squeamish about the blood, or nervous about not being able to complete the task quickly and effectively do this. I've found a good way to do this that both helps with my squeamishness and contains the mess.

Your tools are a paper towel, a plastic sandwich bag and a heavy duty pair of kitchen sheers (scissors) or as you see in this picture a sharp pair pruning sheers. You don't want flimsy paper scissors, because the blades will bend and not do the job effectively.

For this article, I'll be using a stuffed Peep bunny as a stand in for a real chick

You take the chick (or Peep), and roll it up snugly in the paper towel, making sure you can feel where the chick's neck is through the paper towel. This calms the chick and makes the next part easier.

You place the chick/paper towel roll half in the sandwich baggy leaving the head and neck out.

Take the scissors and place them over the chick's neck, making sure of your positioning.
View attachment 2962242Take a few deep breaths to steady yourself and swiftly snip through the chicks neck and the paper towel. At this point, the chick's body will start quivering. This is completely normal. It is the nerves in the body going haywire when they are disconnected from the brain.

It will take a few seconds but you will start to see blood on the paper towel. This proves that the sheers did their work.

Once you see the blood, you can push the paper towel/chick all the way into the baggy and seal it to contain any mess. After the bleeding is done, you can throw it away as is, put the chick deep in a compost heap, or give the chick a burial.

NOTE: This method of culling chicks works best on chicks younger than 3 weeks. If the chicks are any older than that, it may be hard to get the scissors through the neck in one smooth motion, causing the chick unnecessary pain.

Good job finding that for her, Sara!

 

[chickencoop57]

It says that article no longer exists.
I'm in Qld Australia and not been able to get any advice.
One breeder said it's definitely not normal and it's getting worse each day that was 2 says ago it's much worse now when they rest they are sticking way out and the other chicks are also developing it and they seem to rest more than the others that don't have it so bad

You say they're getting worse, in what way? Are they eating and drinking water?