Must I cull? (Graphic sorry)

[FloorCandy]

Had one of my 7 week old roos get attacked today. I separated him and he's just sitting recovering. I watched and noticed who the bully was and separated him.

Should I grow out the bully before culling? Should I try to rehabilitate the injured bird? Should I just learn to clean my first to quail?

I would cull the bully, no more free meals for him.

 

[sajimnkim]

After more research, put antibiotic ointment on the injured bird, which was surprisingly calm, and he's started eating and drinking already. Still have the mean one separated, and I'll put him on the grill at 10 weeks instead of today. I'm not really too enthused about the culling process anyway, so I get a reprieve from it for today.

 

[Eonflux]

You did good, I’ve had bird with injuries from fighting and lot of time I thought I’d have to cull but they’ve always manage to come out ok. I agree with not going with the bandage route, I’ve never had to do it with any of my quail. Plus it sticks to their feathers one way or the other so you’d end up plucking off the bird feather stressing them more. Keep us update with his progress.

 

[sajimnkim]

The morning after. Everyone seems OK. I'm tempted to name him Scar, but as a rule I don't name food.....anyway, he's doing well. The mean one is still running around as well. Will grow them out to at least 10 weeks before they go in the freezer. The rest of the boys seem to be doing fine. Ended up with 3 eggs yesterday after all. One of my kids asked that we not eat them yet, so she can try them, so Sunday morning breakfast is set as a taste test.

 

[Fenrisulfr]

Even if he lost an eye, would be no cause to be culled.

I have a hen, which lost an eye. She recovered and is now the beta hen in her new group.

 

[sajimnkim]

What about feed? my local Tractor Supply has run out of the 28% protein starter feed, and now they are on 20% IIRC. Someone on YouTube said that if feed protein is below 25% they will attack each other. Is that true?

 

[hedgemoo]

Basically you may find that he is doing much better by the end of the day. Good luck!

He was. I put him in a quiet box with food and water. So glad I didn't cull him in panic! Today he's eating and drinking, and has been crowing for his buddies all day! Still can't quite see if he's lost his eye yet. I'll give him a bit more recovery time yet.

 

[hedgemoo]

Even if he lost an eye, would be no cause to be culled.

I have a hen, which lost an eye. She recovered and is now the beta hen in her new group.

Thats good to know. I was in a flap thinking he must be really suffering. They are tough little buggers though!

 

[Nabiki]

What about feed? my local Tractor Supply has run out of the 28% protein starter feed, and now they are on 20% IIRC. Someone on YouTube said that if feed protein is below 25% they will attack each other. Is that true?

That isn't true in my experience. The high protein is very important for growing chicks, but less so for adults. There are breeders who go as low as 18-20% for their adult birds without any ill effects.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Someone on YouTube said

That should be your first clue that it's not based on fact and just opinion.