Cockerel with chronic diarrhea - edible?

[KSH1]

Hi, I am taking 8 cockerels to be processed tomorrow (4 lucky ones found homes). I hatched them in June. One Swedish Flower cockerel has had chronic diarrhea since a day or 2 after hatching. None of the others have ever had a problem. He doesn't seem to be able to regulate it; it just kinda oozes out. (Yes, gross, and extra stinky.) I've tried probiotics with no luck, so I wash him, trim feathers, and apply diaper rash cream to protect his skin. He acts normal and has grown almost as much as his brothers.

My theory is that some portion of his lower digestive tract did not develop correctly. His quality of life will suffer with cold weather so I'm culling him either way, but does anyone have any educated opinions on whether we should eat him, feed him to the dogs, or just toss him? Thanks!

 

[RoosterML]

I can’t answer your question. I would suspect the bird is fine to eat. I have had a Delaware hen with the same issue, watery poop since forever. She is roughly 2 years old now. Otherwise healthy and acts normal and lays lovely poop covered eggs. Only pain is the poop board always has wet spots from where she has been. One day I’ll have had enough of her and into the soup pot she will go. Sorry I know that doesn’t answer your question but it’s all I can say really.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My theory is that some portion of his lower digestive tract did not develop correctly. His quality of life will suffer with cold weather so I'm culling him either way, but does anyone have any educated opinions on whether we should eat him, feed him to the dogs, or just toss him? Thanks!

I would likely eat him and realize things are much worse than this in factory conditions.. folks just don't know what they don't. But us as individual keepers sometimes do see these anomalies. I would wanna get a look at the liver and also peek at the intestines.. try to discover if there was anything discernible or noteworthy just for the sheer experience and correlation for future reference.. I've never actually measured or weighed organs.. but this is fascinating stuff when ya realize it correlates to all of life

But it sounds to me like you've got a fairly good grasp on reality and reasoning to me. I would also consider it genetic weakness. Culled one gal in the past, tested for parasites ets.. dirty eggs are a deal breaker. At culling the Orpington pullet liver was suspect cause of diarrhea/vent balding.

Many diseases are still considered edible even.. noting I believe Salmonella CAN be cooked out.. IF it were present... My home processed birds last so much longer in the fridge as a direct correlation to how much cleaner or less cross contamination takes place..

If his skin is not in good condition he can be skinned instead of plucked.

I would eat him. If you're not comfortable.. I would feed him to the dogs as a second choice, well for me it would be the feral barn cats and I would only dispatch and leave the entire carcass. My 3rd choice would be composting, 4th- dumpster.

Just an over thinking, always learning, avid fancier.. Only word of caution would be any drug withdrawal times needed before processing should be minded. Beyond that.. seems like you're making a wise choice for the good of the animal and your flock!

As nervous as I was about all the things that could go wrong.. and plenty DID including popping bile sacks, bursting guts, and all sort of grossness.. with experience came skill and confidence.. but despite everything that went awry and my inexperience.. the extra caution and care given seem to make up any difference and I have YET to make ANYONE ill from my eggs or meat! I think it's likely safe to eat him, anything less possibly being a waste.. TRULY believing it will be superior to market birds both quality AND safety wise, which I can no longer be fear mongered into buying.. Recalls happen all the time.. I've never YET recalled a chicken.. don't have salmonella in my flock.. Trying to say.. you really do have the upper hand here.. just follow standard HOME safety/sanitation procedures.

But life is priceless and when it doubt throw it out.. YOU do YOU. You are the one who has to answer for any consequence. So do what you feel the most solid about. Sorry for a not truly solid answer.. I don't think there are many absolutes or guarantees in life and nor do I believe an Ivy league education or any so called expert has all the answers. But I do share your same concern.

4 new homes.. that's fantastic! Sounds like your adventure is unfolding nicely, and a worthy one at that!

 

[KSH1]

Good points; thanks! I'll see what we find inside and go from there.

 

[KSH1]

In case anyone was curious, the processor said everything inside looked normal, but his vent was malformed and kind of "sucked in." He's in the freezer now, so he won't have poop freezing onto him this winter.