How to decide when to cull a chick...

[Punkybrewster]

Some may not agree with this but you have been dealing with this for quite a few days. It can be all consuming. Better to cull and get harmony in your baby flock then deal with this for who knows how long.
Whatever is causing this, ocd, aggression, whatever it is, you dont want it in the bloodlines either if you plan to hatch the future eggs. Just as I cull for aggression to not carry it in my bloodlines, so i would cull this one.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm thinking the same thing here.
Mary

 

[Sarah1up]

I'm not using her for breeding or I would have culled her from the start. My gut kind of says that is probably best, but then I see other people say they have chicks that stopped doing such things so then I go back around in circles. I've put her back in a few minutes ago and it's the same thing (this was with 24 hours separated). She still doesn't seem mean. She doesn't keep anyone from food or anything. More like she is an aggressive forager? Runs around and eats, drinks, scratches...all with no issues with the other chicks. She just seems really busy. And then wanders up to the nearest chick and pecks their beak. She is the friendliest little thing with me though. Doesn't mind being picked up up at all because I've handled her so much. I listed her on Craigslist so maybe someone has a flock of RIR's or some slightly older chicks. I just want to give her a chance. I'm such a softie, makes this type of stuff hard.

 

[Sarah1up]

Well, I finally culled it yesterday. And I didn't realize how bad that chick was affecting the others. Last night was the first night since we got them that they all slept through the night (and they are in the living room so I finally slept through the night as well). And they are all so much calmer now. I know part of it was that chick being separated and peeping and pacing constantly. But before that, when it was still in with the others it was walking around and pecking them constantly and all night long there were these little squawks and then they would all be awake peeping. (Hindsight is 20/20... it makes sense now.) Anywho, one way or another they were all constantly stirred up and a little frantic. I should have taken care of it from the start because I know it wasn't normal. I'm just a bit of a softy and have that "save all the animals" mentality at times. I guess for anyone else out there, try not to feel guilty for doing whats best for the whole flock. Thanks everyone for the thoughts and support.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Well, I finally culled it yesterday. And I didn't realize how bad that chick was affecting the others. Last night was the first night since we got them that they all slept through the night (and they are in the living room so I finally slept through the night as well). And they are all so much calmer now. I know part of it was that chick being separated and peeping and pacing constantly. But before that, when it was still in with the others it was walking around and pecking them constantly and all night long there were these little squawks and then they would all be awake peeping. (Hindsight is 20/20... it makes sense now.) Anywho, one way or another they were all constantly stirred up and a little frantic. I should have taken care of it from the start because I know it wasn't normal. I'm just a bit of a softy and have that "save all the animals" mentality at times. I guess for anyone else out there, try not to feel guilty for doing whats best for the whole flock. Thanks everyone for the thoughts and support.

I'm proud of you for doing what needs to be done for your flock. I have the same mindset as you. I LOVE animals. But it's part of being a responsible steward of living things. I'm sure your chicks thank you. Don't beat yourself up!

 

[Sarah1up]

I'm proud of you for doing what needs to be done for your flock. I have the same mindset as you. I LOVE animals. But it's part of being a responsible steward of living things. I'm sure your chicks thank you. Don't beat yourself up!

Thank you so much, your words mean a lot! I know a lot of people have the same issue on here. I felt bad about it at first, but the harmony that exists with the other chicks now is giving me peace.

 

[Folly's place]

We can't 'wish' them all to be perfect, and you did the right thing for everyone.
So sorry!
Mary

 

[Anime2lover]

Culling the babies is such a hard decision to make, but is often for the best unfortunately.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I'm editing this comment because I did not realize OP had made the decision to cull. That's a hard choice to make, but I'm happy the remaining babies are doing well.

 

[Anime2lover]

Thank you so much, your words mean a lot! I know a lot of people have the same issue on here. I felt bad about it at first, but the harmony that exists with the other chicks now is giving me peace.

It's never easy to cull aher baby thats for sure. But unfortunately it's often for, the best. However, if it was me, i would have seperated it for aa weel or more before deciding that.