I hate these...to cull or not to cull topics...

[Jess N Jeff]

But I have one...grrrr

Here is my delema. 2 weeks ago I had a beautiful hatch of Bantam Lavender Ameraucanas. One little baby was born with his feet in claws. Now I don't mean the toes were a little deformed, I mean fused hard claws. You can not straighten the toes out without breaking them all. I tried everything...heat, massage, stretching...nope, fused closed claws.

My plan was to cull this little guy as soon as the chicks were ready to be taken out of the incubator, but he was up an walking around on the knucles of his claws with ease. I decided to give him a chance and see what happens. Well low and behold...splayed leg occures. He was so active, and eating and drinking I decided to tape the legs. After 2 days...perfect. Legs are great and he again is a crazy little baby.

So now we are at 2 weeks and he walks around on his claws, eats and drinks like a champ and is very sweet. The problem is his little cell mates have taken to attacking him. They pick at him and actually grab his claws and he falls over. They don't let him by the food or water.

So should I just give up and do the deed or is there a chance that the other birds will accept him? If this is happening with little chicks, what is gonna happen if he gets older and I introduce him to the big girls?

I understand he has a defect and I would never use him for breeding...but he is so sweet!!!! Other then those claws hes just great.

Your opinions are appreciated. Be honest, my feelings wont get hurt

 

[chickenlady08]

I myself can see that this little guy is a fighter. I wouldn't cull him. If at all possible to separate him from the rest of the flock. I just bought a good sized dog house with a chain link pen attached and converted it into a broody hen house and then also have a couple girls that have been injured by the roos with their spurs and/or toenails. They won't be able to be with the flock because one healed up and put her out on a Saturday night and Sunday afternoon they had sliced her down her side and I don't see it ever attaching itself to the side again. She is a sweet Barred Rock and don't want to subject her to that again.

so if you can seperate then I would do that. He deserves a fighting chance and not to be given up on.

Good Luck

 

[HerbiLady]

I'm sorry! What a bummer, especially after nursing him along all this time.

It seems to me like your other chicks are trying to tell you something.

But, maybe you can brood him separately with a chick or two that doesn't want to kill him and then see how it goes when they go out to the coop?

The other thing to consider maybe is that if he has deformed feet, will they be able to support his weight as he grows? They might be fine now for his fluffy little self but as a bigger bird, will they grow properly along with him and support his body adequately?

Best of luck to you whatever you decide!

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Quote:
I didn't think of that...this decision sucks

 

[chickerdoodle]

Oh shucks. That really is a tough dilemma. Logically I'd have to agree thinking of his future and make your decision based on that. My illogical empathetic self would have a huge issue with culling if he seems happy and pain free and cull only if it becomes a problem. Ugh--so glad its not my decision.

I think with your compassion you will make whatever decision is the right one for right now and don't feel bad either way as you gave it a try--no matter if it is two weeks or two months.

 

[HerbiLady]

It does suck Jessica...I totally agree!

The thing that I would struggle with is that it's just going to get harder and harder to cull the older it gets...I mean, it has to be much more difficult the larger the bird gets. Not just from a "technical" standpoint but from an emotional/visual/etc position? That's the part that gets me! UGH! I feel for ya...

Not being accepted by other birds is something you can't really know but they can be sooo vicious and it would be awful to think of it being eaten alive down the road too.

Do whatever you feel is right. If you're willing and able to give it some special attention for a bit before you decide, give it a couple more days.

 

[usschicago1]

I would Put Him Down. As Bad as you(and I) Feel Bad for him, he'll cost you nothing but problems in the long run. Sorry and hope you do what You want to do in your heart.

 

[KellyHM]

We need a picture to help you decide! I would brood him separate with 1 or 2 other chicks that are nice to him. I don't like to give up on things unless there's really no way to help them, especially if they're happy and active. You could always give him to someone as a "special needs" chicken too...someone who would be willing to baby him the rest of his life or who has other deformed chickens already.

 

[esthermgr]

I wouldn't cull him yet. If he's happy, then I'd leave it be if/until he seems to be in pain. For now, I'd separate him and see how he does. If he develops pain or problems later on, and you have to cull him, at least you'll have a bird of a size you could make chicken soup out of. Sorry if that offends, but that would factor into my decision here at my house.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Thank you so much for all of your opinions. Its so hard because he is so freak'n active and loves to be held. I have seperated him and have given him a feather duster for comfort which he stays next to all the time. He is eating and drinking like a champ. As of right now he actually can run on his little claws. If he doesn't have any problems as he grows then I think I will just keep him. If his health declines, then I will have to do rethink things.

I have a special needs cat...why not a special needs chicken. As long as there is no pain I think he will be ok.

Thanks everyone!!!!