Had to cull a 4 day old baby chick :(

[Amy1]

What a sad day!! And of course it had to be the family favorite. At least she isn't suffering anymore...

We did name her, My oldest daughter named her Gidget. RIP Gidget!!!

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

I'm sorry!! Why did you have to cull it so young?

I had a 2 day old CX chick die last night. I knew she was going to though and I held her most of the night and gave her sugar water and electrolytes with a syringe.

 

[Amy1]

cat got ahold of her and her wounds were to severe to try to save her there was blood everywhere

 

[pinkribbons4]

I am so sorry for your loss

Was she ill?

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

cat got ahold of her and her wounds were to severe to try to save her there was blood everywhere

Bad kitty!!!!

 

[Amy1]

yes she had very severe spraddle legs

 

[FLITZ]

I would have culled the CAT!

 

[Amy1]

the cat now has a new home im not keeping anything that kills other animals

 

[DelcoChix]

What a terrible thing you had to do...very good of you to have the strength to do what's best for your baby, even though it wasn't the easiest for you.
Having raised quite a few chicks and also having three full grown cats (and 2 dogs) I would like to step up to the defense of the bad cat...cats do what their nature dictates, which is to hunt and take down those that are (usually) smaller and defenseless, including mice, baby bunnies, pretty songbirds, frogs, and of course, chicks that they are able to get to. Just their instinct. I hate that particular trait, don't get me wrong, but they aren't "bad" for doing what they are able to do.
We have raised at least 75 chicks from day old to fully feathered (and I know we are by no means experts, nor is that a lot of birds to others here) over the past four years without incident and with our three indoor/outdoor cats right there--and our cats can and do take down all of the little creatures they are able...I wouldn't just re-home the cat based on this sad incident, unless it was just a cat who already had a bad 'cattitude' to begin with!
Also, your chickens will also 'kill other animals' given the opportunity..I've watched mine take down a meadow vole and a couple of toads and frogs (and I tried to save them but the girls were just too fast!), not to mention the myriad of bugs they so enjoy to munch on...

PS: Once your chicks are grown up it's unlikely your cat would bother them...my chickens have chased at and pecked my cats, and even my Aussie who was just trying to get her ball, which had rolled close to our Buckeye, Patty...Patty wouldn't allow the dog near the ball.

 

[mlabresh]

One of our 3 boxers got hold of a chick last night. She's been known to catch mice and kill them (she's a better mouser than our cat!), so I'm not surprised. However, I was a little surprised that she didn't harm the chick. One of our kids had taken a chick out of the cage without permission while I was making dinner and she found her way to the floor (I think my daughter tried to hand the chick to her brother), the dog (who is always watching and waiting) snatched it right up. But, she dropped on command and the chick is still alive and healthy today.

My husband asked me later if I would re-home Lucy if she killed a chicken - I said no. Lucy is a dog (and a really GOOD one) and she was just doing what her instinct told her to do. She will learn (always does) what to do and not do with the chickens, but it takes training. We have 3 boxers, 1 cat, and 5 kids though.. so I suppose I'm expecting a bit of extra work in the 'protecting the brood' area.

Anyway... I am so sorry for the loss of your chick.. Ours are 4 days old today and I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose one now.