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!
