Killing chicks that are hurt

[Latestarter]

@birdofhermes Many places do not allow roosters. Most places it's nearly impossible or not financially feasible to "re-home" roosters as chicks or young birds. And if you are trying to "re-home" them as adults, 90% of the time, they are headed to the stew pot, so are destined to leave their life behind regardless. It makes zero sense to pay the cost of raising a rooster under these circumstances. It is for the benefit of all involved to terminate those birds before they have a chance to create additional probelms and costs.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

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 think a 2mo would have too thick skeletal structure, at that point i would use an ax

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.

so glad you are asking PRIOR to needing to do it, i commend you!!

not sure if unwanted roosters fall into that category of being unable to survive. obviously killing them is a callous act upon a sentient life form. how would you define murder if not that?

but on the flip side that unwanted/unneeded rooster could be sold then fought, sold then turned into soup -who knows. at least humanely euthanizing it you know what happened

 

[happyhens1972]

not sure if unwanted roosters fall into that category of being unable to survive. obviously killing them is a callous act upon a sentient life form. how would you define murder if not that?

I don't necessarily disagree but there is no other way to keep chickens. For every pullet hatched, statistically, there is a cockerel, but you can only keep one cockerel per , say, six to ten pullets. Do the math. It doesn't work I assume you are a member here, because you keep chickens. Somewhere down the line, your chickens would have involved the death of unwanted roosters. It is a tragic inevitability. You may not have done the killing but SOMEONE did. I decided I would only ever hatch autosexing and sex linked breeds from now on as it allows for very early and very humane culling without too much emotional attachment. I would not condemn others for their choices. I do not condemn you for yours xx

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well I got hatchery chicks this week. One I could tell was failing, but tried to help it and watched it slowly die... so I could report to the hatchery and provide photo. I did provide a safe, warm, trample free zone, hand watering also. Alas the chick passed two hours after their guarantee. I could have saved it 5 or more of those hours... but at least it was just sleepy to death and not in pain.

I realize my answer won't be right for everyone (my tolerances are tight)... and should ALWAYS use YOUR best judgement with the knowledge you have available at the time. If you learn something new, apply it to the future!

 

[Newfarmer36]

If you are going to hatch under a broody hen, you wont have to worry about an unhealthy chick, the mother hen will take care of it for you. Nature will have her way, the key at that point, will be for you not to interfere. That part might be tough also.

The won't come out with splay let or anything if they're under her? I love that! Although I wanted to watch a chick hatch .

 

[DwayneNLiz]

The won't come out with splay let or anything if they're under her? I love that! Although I wanted to watch a chick hatch .

generally speaking a hen will kick out bad eggs (whether infertile or failure otherwise) and will leave behind/kill weak chicks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The won't come out with splay let or anything if they're under her? I love that! Although I wanted to watch a chick hatch .

Chicks hatching is fun if your able to deal with the extra boys.
Broody's don't mean you will never see a deformed or dead chick. It means you may not have to cull them because they will die or be killed before you find them.

 

[bobbi-j]

The won't come out with splay let or anything if they're under her? I love that! Although I wanted to watch a chick hatch .

There are still chances of splay leg, or other complications. I just haven't had as much experience with that happening when hatching under a broody. Watching them hatch... I have been known to sit up all night watching chicks hatch, cheering them on. I do not, however, assist. I have tried and ended up killing the chick anyway. I'd rather let Nature take its course. I feel if a chick isn't strong enough to hatch, there is the chance it will be weak and not thrive later on in life. That's my approach to having a strong, healthy flock.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Please dont use this method. The gases given off by this reaction cause severe respiratory distress and whilst it does work, its not quick and painless.

Thank you for telling me!!! I had no idea!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

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?

For the older bird, I use a pellet gun at the back of the head at the base of the skull pointed inwards to the middle of the skull.

Death is immediate, the bird may extend its wings and tense its body.