Broiler as a PET, has a broken leg! HELP!

[AmberMae]

Hi,
I rescued a broiler chicken (about 7-8 weeks old) from the flock my school. They were going to kill it, but i saved it! I am now keeping it as a pet. It also has a leg that I think is broken, and it cant stand without my help. I have no idea what to do, or how to take care of it! Please help!
Can I feed like a normal chicken, or do I need some special broiler food? I have no idea how to take care of it!

Any help is appreciated!

AmberMae

 

[SMan]

They really aren't bred to live forever, but try to splint the leg with med tape and cardboard and limit its feed or it will eat itself fat. Other than that maybe someone else would know, my vote is end the suffering and have lunch.

 

[pixie74943]

Not to be harsh, but alot of broilers (in commercial businesses anyway) end up with broken legs. Its cause their bred and fed to grow really fast, get really meaty really fast, and dont tend to live past their first few weeks/months.


You can do your best, and can probably save her, but yeah, probably not gonna be the healthiest hen in the world, especially with the broken leg.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I tried to keep one once for a pet and even with limited feed its legs gave out under its own weight. I won't ever try to do it again. Sorry for the bad news but the other posters are right, you should probably end its suffering.

 

[island.girlie]

They make a great dinner, and it can be in her honor

 

[threehorses]

Broilers also have a tendancy to having slipped tendons from growing so fast that their legs can't hold their weight.

You don't want to feed it broiler food - that's made to grow them fast for slaughter, aka more leg problems. You can feed it start and grow at this point. If you start to see runny droppings, use 1/4th teaspoon per 1/2 cup of wetted crumbles. You can also put organic apple cider vinegar in the water (1/2 teaspoon or so per half gallon) every once in a while. Organic has good bacteria that help the gut, the ACV keeps the pH of the gut healthy, and it has good stuff that help the bird with its overall health.

I'd just let it sit for a bit, try not to let it get too heavy, and see if she catches up. You could also add some vitamins/electrolytes to her water once a week. I don't like using it daily as just plain clean water is preferable always. A good complete chicken diet is a better provider of vitamins IMO.

 

[allmypeeps]

AWW, I understand your desire to rescue this poor bird and save its life. I have two egg factory rescues myself.

What the others are saying about Broilers having troubles is true. They were bred and bred and bred to grow big and fast specifically to slaughter. Its SAD and unfortunate and I feel so sorry for them. My parents raised 'meat birds' a couple times and many many of them could not walk due to leg problems. I would cry for them when I was made to go out to feed them.

Sometimes the odds are against you, but don't look at it as a lost cause- as long as you try you hardest and do all you can, even if she may need to be culled in the end- you are showing the lucky bird a life she would not have known otherwise, full of kindness and caring.
Best wishes, and hope you are able to help her! It would be great to hear she recovered and led a happy life!

e

 

[AmberMae]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I am forever gratefull. I will try to take care of it as best as possible.

*AmberMae*

 

[pixie74943]

Just an random thought I had on the bus today..

Calcium, good for bones right? Maybe you should try giving her a calcium supplement (oyster shell etc.) to strengthen those bones. Should help getting the legs strong enough to hold your Plump little broiler

 

[allmypeeps]

according to the prior posts, its not really a bone issue as much as a muscle issue due to the fast rate of growing and weight of their body....its a good idea though with the calcium, except if she's not an egg layer I don't know if an overabundance of calcium can create an issue such as calcium depostits and such...???