To cull or not to cull?

[MoodyChicken]

So I have a little chick with some odd leg issues. Our avian vet says it's hard to tell what is exactly wrong, but splinting it might help. She thinks it might be a loose joint. So I've put a hobble on it and isolated him so he doesn't panic. He has to be fed as he can't stand to eat with the hobble on. After 3 days, his appeitite has greatly improved, his energy has somewhat improved, but his legs have gotten no better, if not worse. So should I cull him? I feel bad because he clearly has a strong will to live and if I cull him now I might be giving up too early. But I don't want him to suffer and I don't have any space for special needs chickens.

What would you do?

 

[Mrs.Puff]

I'd cull probably.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not real quick to kill a chick or chicken unless it has an infectious disease or is suffering. If it is thriving now, I'd advise some patience.

One thing I would consider. If you raise your own replacement birds, I would not let it reproduce. I would not want those traits in my flock.

You are the only one to be able to judge what you should do. I know it is a hard decision. Good luck.

 

[crtrlovr]

if it is strong and otherwise healthy, give it some time.

 

[robyncorrine]

I say give it more time.....
But I am a real pushover most of the time..
Only you can make the right decision for you and your flock.