Killing chicks that are hurt

[Newfarmer36]

I don't have any chicks yet. But I was curious to know how all of y'all humanely kill chicks that are sick or hurt when they hatch and its evident that they won't make it. I've seen several different ways.

 

[happyhens1972]

I don't have any chicks yet. But I was curious to know how all of y'all humanely kill chicks that are sick or hurt when they hatch and its evident that they won't make it. I've seen several different ways.

A good, sharp pair of scissors!

I have tried CO2 and it was OK. I have tried dispatching tongs and I wasn't happy with those. I tried a kitchen knife and it worked but too much stress for the chick, getting it into position. With the scissors, I can let them walk around, do their chickeny thing, peck and poke and behave normally and then literally come up from behind and.......they don't even have a chance to chirp before their head is off. I genuinely believe it is as stress free and humane as it is possible to be. I did this today, to three cockerels of two weeks old, and I promise you, it hurt me an awful lot more than it hurt them.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I don't have any chicks yet. But I was curious to know how all of y'all humanely kill chicks that are sick or hurt when they hatch and its evident that they won't make it. I've seen several different ways.

I commend you that you're aware that things don't always go as planned, and sometimes humane actions are required.

My preference is blunt force trauma, very specifically on the corner of a specific foundation of a building in the yard. The comfort of the chick is paramount up until the very last seconds. You want them comfortable and warm with no suffering. I hold their body in my left hand so they are comfortable and I grip their little legs in my right With one quick, controlled movement the chick is swung. Their neck should connect exactly with the corner. The chick is instantly dead. There is no blood involved usually and there is very little nerve action after the fact. The chick normally goes limp.

This is how I was taught by our barn vet to dispatch piglets. It also works well for very young lambs although more force is required.

 

[chuckachucka]

People cull for different reasons. Where to draw the line on that decision is a personal choice. For me, I would only cull if it was obvious a chick or chicken was in extreme pain and distress, but it is helpful to know the best methods if this situation were to arise.

 

[Latestarter]

I think you are misinterpreting/misunderstanding what's being said here Diesel... They are not saying they wantonly kill chicks just for whatever reason... There WILL come a time when you have a bird that needs to be put down for one reason or another. Doesn't matter what age the bird is, chick, juvenile or adult. Some things are not "fixable" and when that time comes, it seems to me the OP is asking what is the best, most humane method to use.

By the way,

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[chuckachucka]

I think the scissors sounds like the best method for young chicks. What about for older chicks, say two months old? Would the scissor method still work as well?

 

[happyhens1972]

I think the scissors sounds like the best method for young chicks. What about for older chicks, say two months old? Would the scissor method still work as well?

I, personally, would not be comfortable trying scissors on a bird of two months old, due to its size. I have never tried, so I am making assumptions, but I would be concerned it would not be as instant as it would be more tricky to snip through a thicker and more muscular neck. Maybe the cone method? Or the broomstick? Thankfully, I have never been faced with that scenario. I have dispatched adult birds and for those, I have used the broomstick method. It has also resulted in decapitation on a couple of occasions, which I have found very distressing but I suppose it at least means its definite!

 

[Eggscoozme]

I put my in an auction, for i.e. a chick with splayed leg. Never was able to fix one that had that, but others have had success. What about drowning them, or exhaust pipe fumes? Just guessing here, never tried either.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Thank y'all for the responses. I've seen pics online of chicks with their neck twisted. Some that are limp and chirping like they're hurt. Under developed ones, tumors... I was wanting to ask. I think one of my hens may be going broody and I think it would be neat to watch them hatch but I'm very soft hearted and I don't know if I could handle a chick that's dying.

 

[Newfarmer36]

I put my in an auction, for i.e. a chick with splayed leg. Never was able to fix one that had that, but others have had success. What about drowning them, or exhaust pipe fumes? Just guessing here, never tried either.

I saw where someone used baking soda and vinegar .