Most humane way to cull?

[nlove_3000]

I am new to chickens but I'm pretty sure we're on our way to culling one of our flock. These are 4 weekers and there is one in particular that even after days of seperation, returned to the flock to peck three others bloody. No others are joining in on this. First of all, how do I prevent this from turning to cannibalism? Second of all, is this a legitimate reason to cull? If so, what is the "nicest" way to do it?

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Illia]

Do you have an ax or hatchet? Because simply taking that to their necks is the easiest, fastest, and most humane way to do it. The most important thing though is that you have a good aim when it is an adult chicken.

Even with chicks I do this, as it is easy and quick. I can't stand doing it any other way.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Before you cull it, try putting it in chicken jail. Put a wire separator (I use hardware cloth wire) between it and the other chicks. Let the chick see the others but not be with them. After a few days, try again and see what happens. Sometimes it works miracles!

 

[Brindlebtch]

Try clip on peepers from eggcartons.com. They really worked for my bullies!

 

[MuranoFarms]

You ask "is this a reason to cull?" Yes...but many people cull their flock by selling off the ones they don't want. I would post an ad first. Or give him a separate pen till he's big enough to process. If it's a pure line of some sort see if a 4H kid will take it. Cull it...yes, but kill it....I really think there are other options.

However, if you feel you must......lay the bird on a hard floor, driveway, concrete patio etc. The head should be facing you. Take a broomstick, lay it across his neck. Put one foot on each side of the broomstick. Grab his feet with your hands. Press down with your feet while pulling back on his feet breaking the neck. The head might come off if you pull too hard. Personally, I'd rather pull the head off then not break the neck.

Good luck!

Edited to add: get some bluekote for the bloody spots on the chicks he was pecking. Dab that on the wounds. Sometimes turning the spots from red to purple is enough to stop the pecking. Chickens are funny that way! lol (don't go in the pen with red toenail polish and flip flops on, or your toes will get pecked!

)

 

[nlove_3000]

Thank you for your responses. Right now I have three brooders...one for 1 weekers, one with 3 and 4 weekers, and then out in the garage I have the grow out brooder or "mini coop" for 6 weekers. This problem guy was in the middle brooder (should be a pullet I just call it "him"). I had him in chicken jail for 2 full days and as soon as I returned him he went straight to it. So last night I pulled him out of the brooder with his peers and moved him one step up. I figured his attitude wouldn't last long with peers that were bigger than him. I watched closely for 30 minutes to make sure they weren't attacking him, then checked on him periodically. I think this may have worked. There are only 4 six weekers in there so he's not getting attacked, but he's put in his place when he tries to peck.

We'll see how this goes....