Hatchling abandoned and attacked, has strange yellow blob

[Smuvers Farm]

OK please put the baby out of his misery. I say euthanize. It's been a little while and there's been no improvement.

 

[WVduckchick]

Looks like intestines to me also. I'm surprised its hanging in there. I would be inclined to cull also. I don't know if there is any way it can draw all that back into it's body.

 

[User395221]

Looks like intestines to me also. I'm surprised its hanging in there.

Yes, I don't know why, either. Poor little thing.

How do I cull (assuming he's not yet gone, he was very close, I think.)

 

[WVduckchick]

Yes, I don't know why, either. Poor little thing.

How do I cull (assuming he's not yet gone, he was very close, I think.)

What I do is lay the chick on a paper towel on a piece of wood. Fold the paper towel over the chick (calms the chick, and you don't have to see it). I put a heavy butcher type knife across the neck, and press down (i actually hit with a hammer to be sure i don't stop part way), totally severing the head from the body. I say a little prayer first, shed a tear or two, then do it quickly. Roll the chick up in the paper towel up, and dispose.

You can use shears or scissors instead, on a neck that small, it will cut fairly easily.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

What I do is lay the chick on a paper towel on a piece of wood. Fold the paper towel over the chick (calms the chick, and you don't have to see it). I put a heavy butcher type knife across the neck, and press down (i actually hit with a hammer to be sure i don't stop part way), totally severing the head from the body. I say a little prayer first, shed a tear or two, then do it quickly. Roll the chick up in the paper towel up, and dispose.

You can use shears or scissors instead, on a neck that small, it will cut fairly easily.

Just read through this thread, so sorry about the chick.
WV, that was so well stated.

 

[User395221]

Just read through this thread, so sorry about the chick.

Thanks. I just wish it hadn't happened in the first place, that I'd been able to save him or that I'd realised sooner that he was a "goner". We learn....

WV, that was so well stated.

Yes, thanks for the info. I went to Bunnings and bought a new hatchet. I do have one "somewhere" but I'll keep it handy in case a "situation" arises. You do need to be able to act immediately and I wouldn't want any of my big girls to suffer if they got hurt and it was obvious they couldn't be fixed.

Anyway, the good news is that the babies are outside with Paulina and everyone seems fine. They came out from "under mum" and I saw them all eating and drinking, including the wobbly little "runty" one who looks heaps better than she did last night.

Now I need to figure out where to put them next. They're only in a tiny little "house" (it's a temporary guinea pig cage, for playing out on the lawn). Paulina won't have anywhere to move when she gets off her bottom. My other temporary house and run I don't think the mesh is fine enough for chicks of their tiny size (it's that rectangular size), maybe I'll have to cobble something better together, a skirt of aviary mesh, something like that. I'll figure it out tomorrow. I've got another little house they could go in, but they'd have to hang around downstairs because it needs a new ramp built.... sigh.
Anyway, it's a more cheerful thing to have to be figuring out than life and death....

Thanks so much for the replies and information everyone, I really appreciate it.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Glad things are looking up! There are some threads about chicken tractors here. If you're unfamiliar,it's a mobile coop and run made in many shapes and sizes. You can also google and find lots of ideas.
Good luck to you and best wishes!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I know there is a post, I believe by @duluthralphie , that tells another way to humanely euthanize a small chick. It has to do with a small, lidded container and starter fluid. I can't seem to find the article and it's driving me nuts.

At least Paulina is taking care of her little peeps, and that's something to look forward to.

 

[WVduckchick]

@potato chip so the one that we thought had intestines hanging out is ok too??
That's great news that Paulina is taking care of them. You may need to remove the last egg if it doesn't hatch within the next day or so.
And for the bigger wire, if you have some screen, or even cardboard along the ground inside the wire could keep little ones inside.

I don't agree with the starter fluid method, as i have since read articles stating that it isn't humane, but that's just a few opinions, so it is an option, depending on your own personal views.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I don't agree with the starter fluid method, as i have since read articles stating that it isn't humane, but that's just a few opinions, so it is an option, depending on your own personal views.

After reading, I thought it WOULD be the most humane. Huh.