Should I cull?

[SarahFair]

I have a chick that is just been stuggling since it hatched.
Its "knee cap" seems to be part way down the back of the leg and its kind of swollen. He lays on his side and usually has his eyes closed.
There is also this sort of "ticking" when he breaths. You can also see a little spot where all of his yolk didnt get absorbed..


I dont know what to do for him. I cant slip the "knee cap" back up like I have with other chicks

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
How long has it been since he hatched? Did he have a rough hatch (ie: did he need help)?

 

[SarahFair]

Its been since sunday so 2-3 days..
No, he didnt need help

 

[17roses]

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I think it really depends on why you keep chickens and how you personally feel. If you feel it is suffering with little to no chance of a decent adulthood, then cull. If you keep chickens as treasured pets and you think it stands a chance and is not suffering, and are willing do everything you can even for the rest of it's life, dont cull. I keep my chickens as livestock and if one is born with an obvious disability than I cull it as I wont be breeding it or expecting it to be a good producer of eggs / meat. I really think this is a personal choice.

 

[SarahFair]

Is there anything I can do to pop that knee thing back up there?
Ive tried pushing, twisting, etc

 

[A.T. Hagan]

You're not doing yourself any favors by keeping 'special needs' chicks nor does it sound like it's going to be able to lead a normal chicken life. I'd cull it.

 

[shellybean40]

I also have a special needs chick, which I did not expect to make it this far. She has really short legs, and is kind of dumpy looking, compared to the others. She has also always breathed twice as fast as the others. Everyone else is fine, healthy and running around. she just stands there, until I reach for her, and she runs away. She is now breathing with her beak a little open, it seems more labored. I think she has a little heart defect or something. Bless her heart.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

It sounds like the little one has more than just the leg problem. I would cull it and put it out of it's misery. It may later also get picked on for being different. Is it eating/drinking?

 

[SarahFair]

It was near death so I just ended up culling it..

 

[17roses]

Quote:

I'm sorry. It can be hard sometimes to make that decision.