First culled, not good....

[TheMainException]

I'm in the same boat in feeling like a murderer...but you did yours for a reason. I culled one of mine because he crowed! For THAT, I feel very shameful and I was so upset for a week until I finally started getting out of the funk. I still look at pictures of him and wish I hadn't done it. I decided to never do it again and gave the next boy away to a very nice lady that wanted a rooster to hear the CROWING.

 

[Turkeyrangler]

Had to do the same thing to a turkey poult a while back. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but I would do the same thing again to end the suffering, and I'm sure I will need to at some point. He had splay leg that continued to get worse the bigger he got. Tried everything including a vet. I know I did the right thing by him and you did too. HE/she would not have any kind of life. You treated him/her compassion and respect. It just sucks and there is no way around that. Here's a hug for you. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Lbrad7]

You did what you had to do and it was the right decision! Always remember that if the bird was ill it could have infected your whole flock had you not taken action and went through with the cull. It's better to lose the one bird than every bird you have and you ended its suffering. CMV said it best when she said that you have to think of all of the joys of raising chickens and not dwell on that 1 percent of the time that it truly sucks.

Sorry for your loss...you did the right thing, forget about and and move on. Best way to get over it is to pull up a lawn chair next to your coop/run with a beverage of your choice and enjoy your chickens silly antics for a couple hours. Lowers my stress level and blood pressure every time!