First cull.....when does the guilt go away?

[MuranoFarms]

Thanks so much!

I knew you would all understand!

When we had first gotten the chickens I had assumed that DH would take care of this part. When the time came he said "This is your project, you do it" then after I did he said "I never in a million years thought you would do it!"

I did probably pull to much when I did it, but I was so afraid of stopping too soon and having hurt him worse!

This one was a pet. DH wanted a BCM rooster and we named it Aroo when it was hatched in hopes that it was a rooster. Our chickens are mainly for eggs and pets (eating eggs and hatching). I was thinking about getting meaties this spring, now I'm not so sure.

Thanks so much for understanding!

 

[Chickenaddict]

I have culled chicks before with little guilt but last weekend we had to cull a few birds I had been trying to rehabilitate without success. One had a bad prolapse I had been working on for a week. no matter what I did it kept coming back out and eventually started looking necrotic, the other birds were culled for having an illness that would have made them carriers for life, fortunately for me these birds never left quarentine. I still think about the hen with the prolapse on a daily basis, she was very special to me. I don't feel guilty per say because she was suffering but I sure do miss her. It does get better as time goes on, the first cull is always the hardest but you made the right decision

 

[KKatknap]

I know how hard it is, and my heart goes out to you. You did the right thing. I know you know that, but it still hurts.

 

[dwegg]

You brought a tear to my eye...I couldn't even imagine...BUT you did the right thing and he is better off and he knew you loved him and he would not have been stressed becaus eit was you.

I am so sorry and you are a very strong person...it WAS the right thing to do.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Not everyone has access but you can get ACE. They will just go to sleep and not wake up. I'm so sorry your upset, but you stopped his suffering and he is probably greatful for what you did for him.

 

[thepremo1]

not to be a jerk, but what are the methods of culling you were talking about?

 

[augustmomx2]

The first time just sucks and I really don't know if it gets any easier. I tried the vingear/baking soda thing as well last year and it didn't work. Traumatized me so much that I had thoughts of getting rid of my flock, cuz I thought I wasn't strong enough to cull. You should be proud of yourself as a person & flock keeper that you were able to put that poor thing out of his misery. Hats off to you for following through with it and the guilt does go away, when you realize that your flock is better w/out a sick bird around and that the culled chicken is no longer in misery.

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
ACE as in acepromazine?

 

[CityChook]

ahhh, hugs honey.

 

[Maggies Pop]

So sorry

I worry about this. I know I could do it. I know my husband couldn't. I think if it ever comes down to it, my daughters 4-H poultry teacher will have to do it for us.