6 Week Old Broiler Limp and Lethargic HELP!!!!

[new2this]

I have a 6 week old broiler that is limp and lethargic, he is sitting and is not moving and barley breathing. head laying on the ground and eyes closed. This is the second male broiler to do this in a week the other died a few days ago. They have fresh water and eat good. I am worried that I may have some sort of infection or diesese in the coop but don't know who to tell......I am lost and concern this is my food we are talking about...now my wife is scared to slaughter and eat them when they reach finish age of 8 weeks. What could it be.
My wife has noticted that the poop is runny on some and "normal" on others.
All the other broilers seem active and do normal chicken things.
How could I tell if it is something that could ruin my whole flock? What should I look for when I open him for eamination? Is he still safe to eat? Thank you and HELP!!

Troy

 

[Hotwings]

Your reaction is quite common among new owners of meat birds. These birds were bred for one thing and that is to eat and eat. At 8 weeks they are ready to go to market. What you are seeing if probably heart failure. It is not usual to find them dead. You have to monitor their feeding to sort of prevent this. My friend Freebie first birds were meat birds and she had about 3 die before she found out why. I don't know why the feed store didn't tell here that they can do this. I am no expert on meat birds, but what you are seeing is normal. These birds are hybrids and they were bred to gain weight fast in order to go to market at a earlier age. The Cornish game hen you see at the store are nothing but 4 week old meat birds. It is sad to see something that was bred only to die, but they are good eating tho.

 

[new2this]

Well, that help set my mind at ease a bit, I am hoping that it is safe to eat. How can I tell if it is infectious?