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

[gg706]

I had to cull 2 of my chicks. They were rumpless Araucana and could not poop. I contacted an Araucana expert here on BYC. She told me what was going on and to put them out of their misery. I was pretty upset at the thought that I was going to have kill them. I had never killed anything, except a bug which I don't even intentionally step on bugs. I had tried to help them for 3 days and watching them suffer was too much for me...once I decided I was going to do it I didn't allow myself to turn back. It was difficult for me to carry out but they went quickly .
I do not think freezing a chick is the answer!!! I can not imagine the pain of being put in a freezer! People need to STOP worrying about how THEY feel

and concern themselves with what would be the best for the CHICK. Sometimes there is NOT an easy way out. Give some honest thought to what is best for the chick, if death is your answer...pull your big girl panties up and go do what you signed up for when you made the commitment to care for them..... Caring for chickens isn't always fun or easy. If you can't do it, take it to the vet and have them take care of it. The only regret I have in culling my 2 chicks is that I WAITED and watched them SUFFER for 3 days. One added benefit to culling my 2 chicks is, after I did it, I realized how much time I had spent caring for and worrying about those 2 chicks...It was sucking ALL of the fun out of raising them and watching my flock grow. Once they were gone the JOY of sitting and watching my chicks returned. I didn't have to sit there and see them suffering anymore. Good Luck!

 

[gg706]

This is a tough subject here on BYC because most people have no farm experience and seek methods that are easier for the person, or convenient, or "not messy" or whatever. Ending a chick's life is tough, it shouldn't be emotionally an easy thing. But, the surest, brutally quick methods are still the most humane.

Chicken's need to come with a huge, long warning label, like those stupid drug commercials on TV where the voice over of the side effects is three times longer than the ad itself. This is an aspect of animal husbandry that old timers, dating back to pre-historic times understood, but often catches the modern person off guard. Yes, the responsibility of ending suffering and putting down some animals just comes with the package.

WELL SAID! X2

 

[Mainechick168]

I hear you on this. I was having a hard time looking at my chicks because everytime I went in I noticed how the sick one was so miserable looking. I too am looking forward to enjoying the chicks now!

 

[seminolewind]

Some I can't do and they go to the vet. The others, well, I get up in the morning, and without thinking, I take the chick or bird and use an axe or a knife for a chick. I cover their head so I can't see it. It's quick. I cry afterward. That's normal. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your feelings for the quickest way for the bird. For the bird, it's comparable to a person fainting-an immediate drop in blood pressure and blood to the brain. You don't think, you just plan it and do it asap. I think with the freezer or carbon monoxide, I would be standing there waiting and thinking about them dying while they are dying. I can't deal with that.

It's just so hard and sad-it is not an easy thing to HAve to do. But we all get there, it goes with owning animals.

 

[Stumpy]

I'm sorry to hear about Stumpy. I haven't had to deal with this yet, but I know it would be hard.

 

[Reurra]

Well, I have given Stumpy a week.

And I can say he is doing better!!

He is up and walking around!! He does have an episode of his "star gazing" seizure once in a while, but Ive only seen it 3 times in the last 4 days! He is improving every day! I started him on a more vigorous feeding schedule and its made all the difference!!

Hes moving around more on his own with a strong will to live!!

 

[arkansaschicks]

Way to go Stumpy!!! Hang in there!!

 

[MollyAngel]

I hope your chick lives!