I have only ever lost three chicks out of 52 (which are pretty good statistics). One died with no warning = fine one night and dead the next morning. One was ill and gasping for air and I held it in my hands until it passed. The last was a chick that never got the hang of eating. I tried everything known to man, even force-feedings but it slowly just withered until it was just so weak that I worked up the gumption to put it down. I had heard a million ways to kill a chick but most seemed too harsh. We keep a little ether (starting fluid) around the house, so I dabbed some on a cloth and covered his little beak and when it passed out, I held its beak and nostrils until it stopped breathing all together. We also lost an older bird to a dog attack. It was quick and she suffered little. Every single bird I have lost has broken my heart. I know in theory you aren't supposed to get so attached. "They are only livestock." But that's the point. They are alive. It's rather easy to form a bond. And once bonded, to lose them is painful. I will say this though. In hind-sight, the chick that didn't eat well, suffered a good bit in those last few days. I should have put him out of his misery long before I did. I won't make that mistake again. Part of loving them is keeping them from as much pain as you can.
