From egg to chick!

[TwoCrows]

I dare not recommend any techniques, when I myself have not tried them. What I will say, is that a lot of people seem to do this https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-for-squeamish-people-slightly-graphic.74734/

Yes this is a very common method to do this deed. I have done this a couple times on day old chicks with deformities or illness that will eventually cause death. I can't do it anymore but it definitely works!

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Set out a mini feast for them yesterday. Butternut squash, cucumber, apple slices, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon. Apparently watermelon is a fave and it got mauled.

I remember when I set slices of watermelon out for a group of youngsters. The pullets walked around and eyed it suspiciously. Then 1 brave soul, the young rooster, took a 1st peck. Then another peck. Soon everyone joined in. When I returned a mere hour later, I figured I'd find the rinds. All I found were triangular pieces of what appeared to be green construction paper! They whittled away at the pink & then the white part of the fruit & only left a sliver of green rind cover! I was amazed. They like various melon types but watermelon is still their favorite.

 

[ElfenLied89]

None of it is quick or easy, and it never is easy on the emotions, at least for me. But when it comes to culling, the bird is the number one priority, not how we feel. I totally get it, I can't take birds lives. I have a vet that studied avian medicine and puts them down for me. You might do some research on finding someone that uses sedation and then lethal injection to put them down.

The preferred killing methods here on BYC are the broom stick method or cervical dislocation at the head and neck...painless and quick. Lots of videos on line on how to do this. There's the killing cone, bird is placed in the cone, they calm down with the blood rushing into the head and with a sharp pair of pruning shears cut the head off. Both of these methods are the most humane.

Thank you for the information. I will look into it and see which is the quickest and easiest on the babies. Not me crying the entire time though. Hopefully I can find someone to take them.

 

[ElfenLied89]

I remember when I set slices of watermelon out for a group of youngsters. The pullets walked around and eyed it suspiciously. Then 1 brave soul, the young rooster, took a 1st peck. Then another peck. Soon everyone joined in. When I returned a mere hour later, I figured I'd find the rinds. All I found were triangular pieces of what appeared to be green construction paper! They whittled away at the pink & then the white part of the fruit & only left a sliver of green rind cover! I was amazed. They like various melon types but watermelon is still their favorite.

Note to self. Invest in watermelon.

 

[ElfenLied89]

Yes this is a very common method to do this deed. I have done this a couple times on day old chicks with deformities or illness that will eventually cause death. I can't do it anymore but it definitely works!

I know it has to be done in some cases but idk how people find the will. Yall are hella brave.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Thank you for the information. I will look into it and see which is the quickest and easiest on the babies. Not me crying the entire time though. Hopefully I can find someone to take them.

When I found a Box turtle with severely injured toes I found a vet to treat the infection, I gave the Little Dude injections & he healed, but then I was most fortunate to find a lady that ran a turtle rescue. Because his injuries were permanent deformities now, he could not be released back into the wild. I drove Little Dude to Baltimore MD & he has a new life with a happy turtle wife. You never know who might have room for special needs.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Maybe there are even more places, not far from you. It's worth searching

https://www.google.com/search?q=spe...gMEGAAgQYgGAZAGCA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

 

[2ndTink]

Thank you for the information. I will look into it and see which is the quickest and easiest on the babies. Not me crying the entire time though. Hopefully I can find someone to take them.

My hubby culls them and I still cry the whole time

As others have said, it is the hard and sad part that comes with having these wonderful critters in our lives. ❤

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you for the information. I will look into it and see which is the quickest and easiest on the babies. Not me crying the entire time though. Hopefully I can find someone to take them.

I know it has to be done in some cases but idk how people find the will. Yall are hella brave.

I know how difficult this is.

 

[ElfenLied89]

Tried hand feeding them this afternoon. The black one has more pep and, well, peep. The yellow one, has lost even more weight since last night and wouldn't eat. Barely has any energy left it seems. I did get some water in both of them. I will try a couple more times to get something in them tonight. Hopefully they make it til tomorrow and I find someone tonight who wants them.