And so the problems begin...

[aclee]

I went out to let the meaties out and to feed them. They all ran out and were either foraging or eating feed except one. I tried to scoot it out of the coop like I do to all them almost everyday to make sure they are walking and moving around. This guy wasn't budging. He wouldn't stand up and support his weight. When I picked him up, he would splay one foot so the toes were all out and straight, but the other foot stayed all curled up and crooked. When I tried to straighten them or otherwise touch that foot in anyway, he would cluck and struggle.

Broken foot? What do I do? Cull it? Never have before, but I guess it's just as easy to start with this one so I know how...

Okay to eat?

Edit to add: DH fed them yesterday and he said he thinks he stepped on one...so it seems like a broken foot is the answer here. Will it get better or should I just kill it? It doesn't seem to be getting around to eat or anything.

 

[Karrie13]

How old are they? I think he would be fine to eat if all he has is a broken foot/leg.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I just had to process one of my 6 week olds two days ago for the same problem.. I concluded based on the fat deposits around its heart that it was a stroke... I am having mine with home made noodles , mashed tatoes and corn form last years garden.. I tried to let another one before this heal by placing it in a seperate cage and it just continued to go ownhill ...

 

[aclee]

they will be 8 weeks on Saturday...he's a smaller one though...might be one of the cornish roasters instead of a jumbo cornish X. I still think he'll make a nice meal for me and Dh and hte two kiddos. Maybe "grandma soup"....chicken and rice soup where the broth is made by simering the whole chicken. then you add eggs and lemons, carrots and green beans...yum!

Egg noodles sound good too.


This will take courage. I'm thinking tonight after the boys go to bed...we have a good spot light in the back yard, and an empty milk jug with this guys name on it.

 

[Chicken411]

How did this turn out? Did everything go okay?

 

[aclee]

Everything went great! I posted again with our results in another post. We ate him tonight and he was fabulous. Spend all day in the smoker and ate him on a salad. Perfect dinner on a hot day!

 

[CoopCrazy]

Congrats.. It is tough the first time or two.. But does get much easier.. I am glad you took that step for you and your family.. BTW my chicken noodles were awesome..