How do you make the decision to cull a chick you have nursed?

[Reurra]

Well, Stumpy just doesnt seem to get better. I ahve him on electrolites, vitamins and I hand feed him frequently through the day, but he seems to be getting worse, not better. His seizures are happening more often. I really adore him but I cnat see being able to make long term care an option. He is trampled by his siblings and would likely starve without hand feeding. Today he developed a persistent yawn, which I think is part of his seizures.

So my question is this:

How do you make the decision, and how do you do the deed on one so young?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Had to dispatch a chick the other day. Yes, it is disappointing, and yes, it is sad. It is what it is. Different people care for their flocks differently and some is the pet versus farm livestock difference. I will not allow any creature to suffer. The circle of life thing, from ashes to ashes. There are more chicks and life goes on.

For little chicks, there are great number of ways. Pruning shear lobbers end the suffering immediately ends quickly. So will a meat cleaver, a sharp knife or simply using a sharp hatchet. The key is this. Ending suffering. Depending on what it is, I will allow a little time, but sometimes, I know what it is, such as a bloody, prolapse on a small chick, and that's it, and I waste no time. Sleep in peace little chick.

 

[Reurra]

Im starting to think that a cull might be necessary. In the long term, he is going to need permanent care. his legs as they are are too small for his body, as he grows older I doubt they would be able to support him. And even then, with the seizures Im not sure that they will ever end.

Its really hard to make the decision since Ive been nursing him most of this last week. Feeding him and holding him. He eats like a horse and drinks well, its just that he cant walk and has these head rolling seizures.

I adore him, but I just feel so darn depressed at his condition. I really hope I dont have to use a hatchet or an knife. I would rather something that lets them down softly. But what must be done must be done. Ill have to decide this week what Im going to do with him.

 

[tinydancer87]

I had a chick with crooked legs once, the bones were starting to grow out of the skin towards the end. He ate and drank perfectly well, had to be hand fed but he would just chirp when he saw you with the food, and cuddle in your hand.

I made the decision to euthanize when I realized that he was not going to get better. His quality of life was nonexistent. I took him to the veterinarian and he twisted the chick's neck for me. I could do it if I REALLY had to, but I choose not to. I cried over that chick, I got too atached.

 

[CarolJ]

Do a search on ways to cull a chick. There are "gentler" ways than using a knife or hatchet. However, if the purpose is to end suffering quickly, those do the job. The first time I had to cull - I just couldn't do it. I kept the chick warm and protected until it died on its own - just a matter of a few hours. Since then, though, I've felt bad that MY lack of courage to do what obviously needed to be done almost certainly caused the chick to suffer needlessly.
Good luck.

 

[Reurra]

My husband and I are big softies. He almost burst into tears when I said we might have to cull. I could not help it either, I almost did too. My DH asked me to give the chick a week and see how he does. So next sunday will tell the tale. Until then though, I will continue the feedings. I know I should probably not procrastinate, but my DH has been looking up names to call this bird since we got him. He says "Stumpy" just isnt a real name lol. I told him though waiting would just make it harder, but he insisted. Im hoping that when the day comes, he will learn to distance himself from the other birds and not get so attached. And perhaps I will learn too not to get so involved. I realize chickens are not pets, but when you raise them and see thier personalities, they become more that jsut livestock. I dont think the chick is in pain or suffering in any way. He does not cry in pain when handled and seems to be very perky when eating and drinking. Other than the brief seizures and his stilted short walks and slightly stunted growth, he seems perfectly normal.

Ill keep everyone updated as things unfold.

Thanks for the advice, and Cheers.

 

[mixitup]

I hate to say this, but you could try the freezer. They get cold, and basically go to sleep. I know it's hard. Everyone has a different theory. Good luck!

 

[Reurra]

I was actually considering this method. It quiet and Im sure relatively painless.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I wan't going to say this, but a few of the later posts brings this subject to the forefront again. I wish there was a way to stress this to everyone who wants get cute little chicks or hatch out cute little chicks. The reality is that some will simply need to be euthanized.

If you're going to have chickens, you are going to face having to put them down. It's that simple. (Culling simply means to remove, and yes, killing them is one way of removing from your flock, but culling can also simply mean removing to sell, or give away). Ending suffering quickly, but ending it efficiently, is part of the responsibility of husbandry. Keeping chickens requires the accepting of this reality and this responsibility.

A simple twisting pull, like the vet did in the post above, is "wringing it's neck", or a quick snip with lobbers, a quick chop and it's painlessly, quickly ended. The use of gas chamber baggies or a slow, painful freezing to death are very poor methods, dare I say rather cruel methods, of euthanizing a chick.

I'd urge people who cannot do it themselves to please, please find someone you know who can, or go to the vet, and pay the money to have it done properly. Fast, brutally efficient, but quick methods end suffering, and are the only proper way to dispatch an animal and compassionately end its suffering.

 

[Leslieb118]

Here's a link to another way

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...crippled-chick-vinegar-and-baking-soda-method