injured chick. WWYD?

[chaoticzenmom]

This week, it was freezing outside. I put 2 broody hens and thier eggs into the spare bathroom with some heat. One of the chicks had hatched and I wanted them all to stay warm. Big mistake. When it warmed up, I put them back outside and the chickens abandoned the eggs that were days away from hatching.

I found the eggs and put them under a different hen that had just gone broody and she accepted the eggs. Later that day, one started trying to hatch, but she was on a high platform and I wanted her to have a safe place. I put her and her eggs into the safe place where I keep the other hens and their chick. Well, they didn't like that and they started destroying the eggs! I got one of the chicks out safely, but it's shell was just falling off around it. It was chirping and alive though. I noticed it had a tremor (chills).

Now, it's got wry neck and can't stand up. Apparently, it got pecked on the head or something. It's fluffed up, alive, open eyes, chirping and flopping around, but it can't hold up it's head and it curls around to one side. Now, I'm thinking I should have let it die, but I can't kill it (at least I don't think I can.) I've been trying to think of various ways of killing it gently all morning. Ugh, what do I do with this chick? I can't put it back in with the mother hens, it's all alone in the house and it's neck is all messed up.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Lisa

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

Sadly this way is instant but difficult to do. We had some chicks that were having issues and my aunt who raises birds said this is how she kills them. You just take them by the head and flick it down. The head will fall off and its body will kick for a little bit of time but it's 100% dead. It's very sad to watch and I'm sure do, but its quick and efficient. Good luck

[chaoticzenmom]

Well, I decided to wait and see. He rolled over everytime he tried to stand up all day, but after some neck stretches and physical therapy, he started sitting up straight like a dog and got control of his head. Yep, physical therapy.LOL He's doing well now...and it looks like it's a she (if my eyes are seeing things correctly). I got another 2day old chick to keep it company and they're fine.

Thanks. I'm glad I don't have to do that body slam thing
Lisa

[Tizzy]

Glad it's doing better!!

For future reference, I had good luck using a plastic yogurt container and an UNLIT propane torch. I cut a little hole in the side of the container, put the chick in, put the lid on, insert the propane torch into the hole and let the gas run for a few minutes.

For a larger bird I did the same but with a plastic bag over it's head with the gas running.

I'm really not good about dispatching animals (that's what DH is for ) but sometimes I need a backup plan.