Should I cull weak, runt chick?

[HickoryGuy]

Basics: 4-day old Light Sussex chick. Wasn't able to get out of shell on it's own. Helped it out fairly easily after giving it 24+ hours. Half the size of other chicks. Very obvious lack of vigor, which explains hatching problem. Sleeps & peeps constant, haven't seen it really eat or drink. Will stand up and walk a bit, then lays right back down and goes to sleep while other chicks are running around.

I just feel bad for this little guy. Not sure whether to give him some time or just do the deed and move forward. Input?

 

[the Precious Ladies]

Myself, personally, would give the little chicky time. Does the chick seem to be in pain though?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I'd cull him. I keep only the strong, vigorous chicks.

 

[HickoryGuy]

I see no obvious defects or pain-causing problems. But he does peep alot. He's knows to go right under the heat lamp when he's not warm enough. I've tried to hand feed/water with minimal luck.

 

[Raven81]

i had the same problem 2wks ago with a chick but she is doing really well now & keeping up with the others. i was also thinking of culling but im glad i didnt now

 

[key west chick]

I had a runt. After a week you couldnt tell him from the others. He is now my lavender roo that is huge and beautiful. Give him awhile. As long as you can get him to eat and drink, and he doesnt appear to be in pain, give him a chance. ( or her)

 

[Buugette]

I hatched out a very small chick and for weeks it was half the size of the others... all of a sudden he grew and now you can't tell him apart in size from the rest. I did baby him a bit... I gave him special attention, gave him poly-vi-sol baby vitamins once a day, and water from a syringe a couple times a day to be sure he was being hydrated. I didn't force him, he would take the drops from the end of the syringe.

Tiny Tim peeped a lot too... but today is a very friendly and healthy roo. My time is baby-ing him was not wasted.

Diana

 

[HickoryGuy]

I tend to agree with keeping only strong ones. I just got him to eat a drop of yolk. I'll try to work with him a bit... thanks for all the insight, folks.

 

[pascopol]

A.T. Hagan :

I'd cull him. I keep only the strong, vigorous chicks.

Second that, end it's misery.​

 

[Kavellion]

I go with the stuff from kids books. The little runt that could or something.