Our first cull and I feel bad

[addicted2chicks]

We had a blind chick a few weeks ago that we tried to save but she eventually passed she was a barred rock. Well we had another that hasn't been gaining weight but I kept thinking she was probably a midget chick. Well tonight I decided she probably was getting to be too small to run with the big chicks and that I should put her in with the bantams so they were more her size. On my way of carrying her I decided probably not a good idea just because of contaminating the bantams if something else might be wrong so I just didn't feel comfortable to do it. Although I am sure it would of been fine, but I would of felt awful if I was wrong. So then she had pooped on me so I went to grab a paper towel to clean my hand and her up, that is when she started struggling for a breath. She was nodding her head and her chest was expanding and contracting hard and her beak was opening trying to get air. I looked at DH and said she needs to be culled. He took her outside and I told him just do it and don't tell me about it. I feel it was the right thing to do, I don't want any of them to suffer, but I still feel bad. She was also a barred rock.

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

Hard as it is, you did the right thing. I had to cull a newly hatched chick the other night and that was hard because it struggled to be born - really hard - but in spite of how hard it worked to get out of the shell, it could not get up and walk right away - it's neck was curled and it kept laying down and sleeping. It had a red nubby growth on the top of it's tail - still don't know what that was and it's abdomen was very engorged and the skin totally transparent and it looked like it had swallowed a whole yolk.

As much as we want them to all live, if they are deformed or abnormal, we need to be humane.

 

[chickenlove2009]

Let me tell you something: it doesn't get easier. Ever.

I have culled over 20 babies and it breaks my heart everytime but it HAD to be done.

Sorry for your loss, but it was the right thing to do.

 

[lovemychix]

I had my hubby cull a young silkie because she was sickly and going blind. It's very hard. I still miss her.

 

[addicted2chicks]

Thanks! I feel better just having you all tell me it was the right thing to do. Although I knew it was, it just makes me feel better to "hear" it.