We're about to cull our first birds

[katiek]

We've had these 2 Buff Orpingtons that we got about a month ago. Shortly after we got them, one started sneezing, and a few days later the second started sneezing.

We have been keeping them quarantined from our other flock and didn't have the heart to cull them. All this time we've known it's the best thing to do, but just haven't had the heart to do it.

We are about to expand out flock, and today my Dbf decided he's going to cull them.

If we had just done it when we first got them it would have been different, but now I love them. They are so cute and they follow me around and trust me.

Any words of advice before we do it?

Are we doing the right thing? Will anyone take sick chickens?

 

[nzpouter]

Have you been treating them?

 

[Buster]

I think you are doing the right thing. You've given them time and they are showing sickness and you definitely don't want your flock to catch anything from them. I know it's hard but sometimes it's for the best.

 

[katiek]

Well we haven't treated them with antibiotics because colds are a virus. Isn't that right?

 

[Bacchus]

Are they doing poorly in terms of their health or are they just sneezing? If they're just sneezing every once in a while, then they may just get well again if you give them some time... If they seem to be getting worst, then cull them.

I had to cull one of my roo two weeks ago because he broke his left leg and never recovered despite my efforts to heal him. Just make sure your knife is sharp so you get a clean cut and... well, you know the rest. It's not easy the first time, but it gets easier every subsequent attempts. Good luck!

 

[katiek]

Thanks!!!

They aren't getting any better and it's been a month or 6 weeks.

I think we are about to go do it. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna cry.

 

[Bacchus]

Just think that you're doing them a favor to end their suffering. I know that's hard to get pass our minds psychologically, but it really is a humane act you're doing to keep them from suffering any further. Best of luck!

 

[TXmom]

The way I understand it, chickens don't really catch the cold virus like we do. There are respiratory infections that you can treat with antibiotics, like CRD, pneumonia, sinus infection...

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[katiek]

Alright, Take 1, I chickened out (no pun intended)

 

[speckledhen]

Before you cull, are there any other symptoms? If its just sneezing and they seem healthy otherwise, first look for environmental causes. If there is alot of new plywood or OSB in their coop or an attached storage area has gas cans and paint,etc, that can cause a cycle of sneezing. Happened to some young chicks who went out to a new coop here once. I finally figured out what was happening. Plywood and the like is full of glues and other chemicals that they can react to. Also, shavings that are very dusty or full of ammonia...get down to their level, stir the shavings and smell. Ammonia can cause that, too.