BBB Tom not walking

[NakPakChick]

It was a rather cold night last night. This morning Tom won't/can't walk. He's holding his feet to the sides, not tucked under him. He won't get up to eat/drink. When he does get up (when he's tired of me looking him over) he lurches around and only goes backwards. Sorta falls back on his butt. Sits with his feet rather curled.

Does this sound like they could have froze last night? He is rather large (hatched the end of April).

Should I try to move him to a closed in area, out of the weather (he's free range) and try to warm up his feet?

He's getting to butchering age anyhow-should we just butcher him and put him in the freezer? DH was wanting to wait and do it shortly before Thanksgiving (that's his name).

Any thoughts/tips greatly appreciated!!!

 

[NakPakChick]

We tried to move him to a more sheltered area, where we could keep an eye on him and make sure he was getting feed and water, and the poor guy had a heart attack!! He's all dressed out and in the fridge, next stop the freezer, and then Thanksgiving table.

I guess that saves me the heart ache of having to kill him! He was like a dog, I wasn't sure I would have it in me to kill him.

I was thinking he possibly had bumble foot, but saw a post about pressure neurosis or something similar. I'm thinking that was his foot condition, and he just couldn't support himself anymore.

 

[chickenannie]

You did the best thing, since he was going to the table anyways. He may have just gotten too huge.

 

[NakPakChick]

Yep, I'm thinking he got too huge. He dressed out at 35 pounds!

 

[silkiechicken]

My BBB started to go out around 40-50 lbs live, at least you caught him on his way out and were able to take the meat.