[crosser]

the mum was out in the run with her chicks today and when my back was turned i heard all this chirping and one of my pol birds had pulled a chick through the wire and ran off with it ( going to eat it i think as she does the same thing with frogs) the chick is ok in itself apart from a broken leg...  will this heal or do i cull it? if so what is the best way of culling a chick?   thanks

mandy

[Roxy]

I know a lot will say cull it - it is probably a cockerel anyway!!  I have had chicks and hens with damaged legs, including broken, and  they have recovered.  Usually have a bit of a limp, but no detriment to their egg laying ability.  You could make a little splint, but its keeping a chick still, although they do stand under the hen, so  it could do it.

I assume you have now made sure the hens cannot reach any more chicks.,  Our farm cats are always putting their paw through the netting to try and get the chicks.

[jaykay]

You can splint the leg - I have done, successfully. Depends how valuable it is. Could be more sensible to cull.

Best way to splint is to get two lolly sticks or similar, tape round then to keep splinters away and then tape at each side of leg.
Best way to cull is to break its neck - pull and twist decisively. Fast and over before it knew what was happening.

[melholly]

Ah quite a drama! If say give the splint a go. I haven't done it with chickens or ducks but have successfully splinted a chaffinch!!

I'd it doesn't work then jaykay gives good advice. I'm new to all this and not sure in at the culling my own stage yet- I'll get there, but not yet! You can buy things that attach to gate posts that are a bit like a clamp. I don't know if they work and reckon truly the hand is probably the best way to get it over with from chicks point of view...

Good luck!
Mx
http://selfridgestoscats.blogspot.com

[crosser]

well the poor little chick didnt really have much hope as his leg was broke at the elbow/knee joint..  just dragged himself around so thought i had to put him out of his misery which was not an easy decision ...  i put him in a box and put hose to it from the car, he was gone in about 10 seconds...  hopefully painless and now in a better place... 

[doganjo]

Probably best thing.  Not your fault.