Emergency: I Need Some Advice

[Crystalchic]

One of my chicks would not hatch on its own after day 22. I heard it chirping in the she so I decided to assist. It was dry when I opened the shell and seemed sort of large. The chick has a red mass outside of the top of its head. I think that it is the brain. It seems fine several hours later. I do not know what I should do if anything. Meaning should I have the chick culled

 

[Fudgie]

if the skull is not closed up I would cull, it will dry out and kill the chick anyway in my opinion.

 

[Buster]

I agree- if it seems that the brain is exposed, I would cull the chick.

 

[Crystalchic]

Should I give it a drug over dose of some kind. I really can't shoot it or stab it? I am being serious

 

[Buster]

I just break the neck on them. Just twist the head until it dies.

Some people put them in the freezer and some use dry ice. You put the chick in a sealed container with another container that has dry ice and water and the vapors kill it in seconds.

 

[NurseNettie]

Quote:
Something quick would be best. At that size, breaking it's neck, or removing it's head would be quickest. You can use scissors for that. It's not pleasant, but to try anything that might not work, could fail, or be slow-- would only cause the chick to suffer.
So sorry.

Edit-- I'm very opposed to the freezer method-- it's slow and tortuous to the chick. So are most things meant to suffocate chicks-- easier on us as we don't watch, but they do suffer.

 

[Buster]

Quote:
Something quick would be best. At that size, breaking it's neck, or removing it's head would be quickest. You can use scissors for that. It's not pleasant, but to try anything that might not work, could fail, or be slow-- would only cause the chick to suffer.
So sorry.

Edit-- I'm very opposed to the freezer method-- it's slow and tortuous to the chick. So are most things meant to suffocate chicks-- easier on us as we don't watch, but they do suffer.

That's why I break the neck.

 

[katrinag]

Just take a sharp knife and cut off it head. Fast and easy.

 

[Crystalchic]

There is no way that I can do that. I will get my grounds keeper to take care of it. Just the thought of bones cracking and feeling it in my hands makes me feel queasy, and beheading it is out of the question for me. Thanks for you quick responses

 

[Crystalchic]

Negative katrinag can't do it.