Should I cull?

[SunAngel]

I am not sure what to do at this point...

I had a really lousy hatch, ended up with 4 chicks, 2 of which slowly faded away after fluffing up and seeming 'normal'. The first one to hatch has always been bright eyed and fine. The other one I have left is a Faverolle chick that hatched on Sunday, had spraddled leg and its toes were curling. So I used the bandaid method and put little boots on it with masking tape. Seemed to work, after 2-3 days like that, it stands fine with barely any curling. My problem is, the chick doesn't seem to be getting even close to normal. It won't eat on its own, basically stands in one spot with its eyes closed and head drooping. The first two faded away almost the same way, but this chick is just holding on and not getting any better. If you tap on the cage or startle it, it will open its eyes, chirp and run to a new spot, but then goes right back to sleep. I have been making it take water whenever I can get in there, given it drops of polyvisol and some sugar water. I even let some food get soggy in the water, so I could get some food in it with an eye dropper. Oh and I tried a little yogurt. It acts like anything entering its mouth is deadly and makes gasping movements for a couple minutes afterward.

I am not sure if there is something else I can do, or if I should just cull it?

I can't figure out why it hasn't died like the other two or even why they did, when the first chick is so lively. I think my feeding this one the only thing keeping it going. Should I just stop and let it pass away?

It's very disappointing and frustrating. I really wanted a Faverolle, but I don't want it to be sickly or suffering.

 

[MissPrissy]

I am very sorry you've had sickly chicks. I would cull and put it out of its misery.

 

[nerfy]

Sometimes a little TLC goes a long way. I have given sick chicks gatorade. It perks them up, hydrates and provides electrolytes. I learned this friend that raises exotic birds.
After the gatorade kicked in, I made a warm mash with the starter feed and fed with an eyedropper, just to make sure they got something more solid in their crop.
If all of your attempts don't work, I agree with Miss Prissy.
Hope this helps and you reply that the chick is alive and well.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
If its making little gasping noises when you give it water..then my thinking is that it may have gotten some in its lungs...once that happens(espically in one so young)..its pretty hard to save...i think i am like you though...i would hate to cull if it might make it..but..i hate to think that it is suffering and dying a slow death of dehydration..and fluid in its lungs...i dont know what to tell you...follow your heart and gut... and best of wishes...:aww.., Wendy

 

[hatchaholic]

I would cull, too. Can't stand to see them suffer...

 

[CUDA]

The leg issue alone is enough for them to get culled on my yard...

 

[Guinea Goonie]

If you decide to cull it use Acepromazine and a diabetic needle. We us about 1/2 a cc and inject in a few places. It is very humane. Personally, if the chick is not really suffering and has a few buddies in the brood I would let it die a naturaly death, yet I would try to keep it going as you have. I have had a few hatches where I had to cull after a week or so and then I have had a few that made it and or now roaming the property doing the chicken thing.