Cornish cross rooster hard time walking

[FloridaChick45]

I adopted some Cornish crosses and 1 of the roosters has something wrong with one of his legs. He has a severe limp but I don't know what's wrong with it, I don't see anything that's obvious. I have no idea how old he is but very large.

 

[wild chick]

I'm not an expert, but it's my understanding that this breed is made to be butchered by 10 weeks. They gain a huge amount of weight very quickly that their skeleton cannot support for a long and healthy life. Sorry to say this because he might be a pet to you. Do some internet research on Cornish Cross and see if his symptoms aren't pretty normal for the breed once past their typical butcher date.

 

[DobieLover]

Did you check his foot for bumble foot? This breed of chicken is not meant to live very long. They grow very fast and get too heavy to support their own weight.

 

[sourland]

Sadly there is not much that you can do other than keep him comfortable. They are bred to be rapid growing short lived birds and when allowed to live past their 'kill' date they develop heart and leg problems.

 

[FloridaChick45]

Did you check his foot for bumble foot? This breed of chicken is not meant to live very long. They grow very fast and get too heavy to support their own weight.

Yes I checked him for that but didn't see any signs. I kept him in his pen til today and he's walking a little easier!

 

[FloridaChick45]

Sadly there is not much that you can do other than keep him comfortable. They are bred to be rapid growing short lived birds and when allowed to live past their 'kill' date they develop heart and leg problems.

I noticed they were different than any of my others when I adopted them so I have been researching and talking to ppl about them and I think I have got a good place set up for them where they are protected and have flat areas to wander around ☺

 

[FloridaChick45]

I'm not an expert, but it's my understanding that this breed is made to be butchered by 10 weeks. They gain a huge amount of weight very quickly that their skeleton cannot support for a long and healthy life. Sorry to say this because he might be a pet to you. Do some internet research on Cornish Cross and see if his symptoms aren't pretty normal for the breed once past their typical butcher date.

That's exactly what I've been doing lol. I've made a pen just for them where they have all flat land to wander on, when they feel like it and I put them on a diet also. I kept them in the pen til today and when I let them out this morning he seems to be walking a little easier!

 

[mixedbreeds]

So what is your plan do you have more than one? Are they going to be pets? I have raised them for meat but I have to say they are really nice friendly birds.

 

[FloridaChick45]

So what is your plan do you have more than one? Are they going to be pets? I have raised them for meat but I have to say they are really nice friendly birds.

I adopted 5 (2 roosters and 3 hens) from my neighbor who didn't know what they were when she got them, then figured out she couldn't take care of them. I personally don't like eating what I raise lol. I know I'm weird I am going to do the best I can to give them a comfortable life for as long as they survive! When I got them they were already well past processing age and very over weight, so my first goal is to get them on a healthier diet, when I figure out what that is