broilers instead of layers

[nchuntington]

I have 7 hens and 1 rooster that I had gotten last spring. A few months ago we purchased 9 more hens and 2 ducks...or so we thought. It turns out that the 3 white chicks were 2 hens and 1 rooster, but that's not the problem. The problem is these 3 chicks are HUGH, and I mean HUGH. We think that some broilers got mixed up with the layers, we noticed that they were not as active as the other chicks, they have next to no feathers on their bellies, and their legs are so much thicker than normal. They used to just waddle to the feed bucket, and lay down to eat. We had to separate them from the other chicks because they were getting picked on, and the other chicks were plucking the feathers out. So they look really terrible.
But we were wondering this...

1) to get broilers, do they put steroids in the chicks when they are hatched?
2) will the steroids wear off, and will these hens start laying eggs?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Debbi

 

[Judy]

No, it's not steroids. It's genetics. Yes, they eventually lay, if they live long enough. The problem is that they grow so fast that their heart may fail, and their bones break due to the extra weight on bones that are not strong enough for them. Some people have kept them alive for a few years on occasion, by limiting feed and ensuring they get plenty of exercise, but it's a challenge. They get very big.

 

[nchuntington]

No, it's not steroids. It's genetics. Yes, they eventually lay, if they live long enough. The problem is that they grow so fast that their heart may fail, and their bones break due to the extra weight on bones that are not strong enough for them. Some people have kept them alive for a few years on occasion, by limiting feed and ensuring they get plenty of exercise, but it's a challenge. They get very big.

That is sad....

 

[donrae]

It is sad, but it's what the American consumer has demanded. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts that weigh half a pound each are the norm now, and you're never going to get that from a dual purpose bird. These birds are not genetically altered or given steroids, they're just intensively selectively bred to eat a ton, gain weight fast and usually die young if not closely managed. So, your options are....j
raise them to about 8 weeks and butcher them.
keep them as pets who may lay a few eggs and will eat a lot and have short life spans
sell them to someone who wants meat birds.

 

[nchuntington]

well, they are well past 8 weeks, so I'm trying to find someone local to butcher them. the local meat market won't butcher chickens, and I'm certainly not going to do it, so I guess we just keep feeding, and waiting.
Thanks for all they info. I am very glad I found this site, and wish I had more time to spend here.
Debbi