Should I Put it Out of it's Misery?

[farmer boy]

ya if it can eat and drink let it live and see what happens thats what i would do and not kill it if it can still live but its up to you

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

If you decide to let it live don't keep it with the broody. Broodies are tough mothers, if it is any weaker then the other chicks it probably won't survive. Chickens are drawn to bloody spots like that and the other chicks (even the mom) will start pecking at it.

 

[Bocktobery 10]

HI,

I'm not a chicken expert at all, but just wanted to say I had nearly the same sort of thing occur last year. The chick was only about a day old when I found her beat up in the middle of the coop. I really don't know which hen did it, but to make a long story short, the chick survived, but I think not without some sort of brain damage. Remarkably, she made for a good little hen but she was always picked on and had to be separated from her mother and the other hens. She had been beaten up to a bloody pulp about twice in her life. I was amazed at how well she came through both those times- I thought she was a gone-er for certain! Both those times it was her (surrogate) mother who did it. I have a feeling the mother sensed something was wrong with her as did the rest of the hens. Since that first day that she got beat up she had reoccurring almost daily seizures. I was going to cull her, but decided to try and see if she would get better with a little TLC. She didn't and since I tried to help her I got attached and couldn't cull her, but I can tell you she was the sweetest little hen. She died about a week ago- one seizure too many in the hot sun. I think she had a good life. She seemed to enjoy her time free ranging and as long as she didn't get near the other hens (and she would do her best to avoid them) then usually she was ok.

As far as culling though, I think it is up to you how much time you are wiling to put into this little peep. She doesn't look that bad from the pictures you posted honestly, but people are right to say that it might take quite a bit of extra work to keep her going and that she is probably 'ill' with something since the mother attacked her. Sometimes its worth it to try and save, sometimes its not.

Yours doesn't seem too bad from the pictures... Mine's face was hardly recognizable, but all was intact and healed up without any signs of injury. If you lived near me, I'd offer to take her in! Looks like a sweet peep.

I wish you the best.

 

[bird boy]

I think that chick is gonna be just fine.