New chicks...one has no eyes...horrific

[dct10]

I had to cull a couple chicks. I simply layed them on a cutting board, placed a chopping knife on their necks behind their head, and whacked the knife hard and quick with my heavy metal meat tenderizer. Though a hammer or rubber mallet would've been sufficient too. It was an instant clean decapitation. Quick, easy, and humane with no suffering. I would think running it over would have potential of complications and/or failure of getting the job done propperly. Perhaps have your husband do it if you just cant?

F

I had to cull a couple chicks. I simply layed them on a cutting board, placed a chopping knife on their necks behind their head, and whacked the knife hard and quick with my heavy metal meat tenderizer. Though a hammer or rubber mallet would've been sufficient too. It was an instant clean decapitation. Quick, easy, and humane with no suffering. I would think running it over would have potential of complications and/or failure of getting the job done propperly. Perhaps have your husband do it if you just cant?

Good idea...except I AM the husband. Feeling like I need to turn in my man card.

 

[Isadora]

I'm so tired of posts about these poor quality hatchery babies I stand by my opinion of Meyers Hatchery. I rarely, if ever, see these types of post from their babies. They have always been responsive to my emails, and I've never had a poorly sexed hatch either. Their "packing peanuts" are never males either.

I've gotten great customer service from Meyers hatchery., But the latest debacle from them was the meat birds we got three weeks ago had one chick there with scissor beak that was so bad... The beak was crossed at a 90° angle. Super obvious and people shouldn't have missed it. It never should have been sent to us. I gave it some water while I unloaded the rest of the chicks into the brooder and then gave it to my husband to cull. He quickly cut its neck with some sharp shears.
Uncomfortable but necessary part of animal husbandry.

 

[vintage]

Yes.. we noticed her head seems to be misshapen as well. Found an article written by a Vet that says this can happen when the incubator was too hot. This makes sense. I have now sent 3 emails to Murray McMurray asking them for guidance. No reply other than acknowledging receipt of the mssgs. I sent them photos as well. No reply. I'm very upset by this as they messed up our order last year and sent 4 cockrels we did not order. We paid for sexing and only intended for one cockrel. Now we are still dealing with trying to rehome them. I specifically asked them to please take some extra care in filling this order as I'm trying to correct the ratios and cannot have another rooster. I can't imagine how this could have happened. She was so obviously malformed. We saw it the instant we opened the box. How did their handlers not see it? She was sexed, vaccinated and boxed so assuming 3 different people failed to see this blatantly obvious and sad deformation. We would happily raise her and care for her if she was just blind, but she still cannot eat or drink and she chirps relentlessly. I can only imagine the poor thing is in pain but wanted to give her a fighting chance.. We needed guidance from the hatchery if this is a known problem and if there's anything we can do for her. I have to say, the thought of having to put this poor soul down upsets me beyond words. We love animals and could not intentionally harm them. It appears I'm going to have to.

I'm with you on this, several occasions of being handled and no one caught this?? The fact you've received no reply is deplorable. Have you contacted them via phone? You may get a faster response.

 

[CoopsNPoops]

Good diea...except I AM the husband. Feeling like I need to turn in my man card.

Oh, lmao. Well maybe your wife can do it if you can't? Lol, im just playing. But whacking a sharp knife placed on its neck was the best thing i could come up with. It worked out perfectly. I was a little saddened at first, but quickly came to the realization that it was worse for me to let it suffer and prolong the inevitable. Knowing i did what was best for IT (not myself) was what made me feel better afterwards.

 

[neo71665]

Uncomfortable but necessary part of animal husbandry.

To a T.
Sometimes you have to do what is best for the animal over what you feel is best for you.

 

[dct10]

Well, I guess that will be my next move. We're now a week into it so kinda pointless now.

 

[Isadora]

Good idea...except I AM the husband. Feeling like I need to turn in my man card.

That won't be necessary. It's hard when it's a cute fluffy baby, especially if you haven't had experience with it before. And thank you for your service.

 

[dct10]

Oh, lmao. Well maybe your wife can do it if you can't? Lol, im just playing. But whacking a sharp knife placed on its neck was the best thing i could come up with. It worked out perfectly. I was a little saddened at first, but quickly came to the realization that it was worse for me to let it suffer and prolong the inevitable. Knowing i did what was best for IT (not myself) was what made me feel better afterwards.

she left for work bawling this morning. I could never look at myself in the mirror again if I asked her to do this deed.

 

[dct10]

appreciate the replies.

 

[Mutchi]

she left for work bawling this morning. I could never look at myself in the mirror again if I asked her to do this deed.

ya... i wouldnt be able to