May have to cull a chick, your opinon please

[rooster-red]

I had 7 chicks from my last hatch 3 weeks ago, 6 BR and 1 RIR.

I really wanted to hatch some RIR's from my own flock, and only 1 did, but it had leg joint & feet issues... I've been working with the chick, but have made no progress, and she can't get around well at all, breaks my heart to see her wanting to run & play with the BR's so badly, but she can't even come close to getting around with them.

I've been agonizing for weeks on making the decision to cull her or not, would like your input on this.

 

[Buster]

I hate to be the one to say it, but I would cull it. I know that it is a tough choice, but when you look at the overall quality of life it will be able to enjoy, it may be better off to cull it now, especially since it hasn't made progress. Sorry to hear RR.

 

[Davaroo]

With almost 4000 posts to your credit, you must surely know by now where this will lead:

Some will say do it.
Some will say don't.

In the end, YOU have to be courageous either way. You'll care for an invalid and watch it "suffer" and likely die for all your trouble. Or, you have the Spartan strength to nip that in the bud, now. You gotta do what your heart tells you, no matter what we say, so I say do that.

(I've had the same problem a few times. In the end, it was a mistake to let the chick go on. I won't do it, now. The Chickens World is a Savage Place... that's all I'm gonna say.)

 

[Mattake2]

Yep, it's a tough call but after 3 weeks of "therapy" I doubt you could have done much more. The circle of life stinks sometimes.

 

[rooster-red]

Quote:
Guess I know you're right David... I usually don't second guess myself, just needed to refortify my fortitude so to speak.

I'm going to cull her, can't stand to see it happen over a period of weeks a little at a time.

 

[gervais22]

Does she seem to struggle? Look into her eyes and then listen to your heart, you will be able to tell whether she is in pain(not physically but within). Will she ever improve or will she be crippled for life? that will be torture.

in my option keep up the physio, try and look for some more ways of helping, like an aid???

Only time will tell, but if you feel she is struggling and isn't going to improve, I would put her out of her misery.

 

[Poison Ivy]

It's hard to do but if you have given it every chance and it's still not gotten any better then it's best to go ahead and cull it. I had the hardest time culling a turkey chick a while back. I just hated to see it struggle any longer. Best of Luck

 

[seriousbill]

We've all been there, and it just has to be done and put behind you. I hope it goes smoothly and quickly for you. Wishing you the best.

 

[rooster-red]

The deed is done.

I put her outside with the mother hen and her hatchmates and watched her for about 10 minutes, poor thing had no quality of life. it was very clear that it had to be done.

Then I watched the other babies flit back and forth, having an absolute blast, and knew I'd made the right decision.

 

[speckledhen]

I sure can sympathize with you, Lee. That is the absolute hardest thing about owning these wonderful birds.