Cornish Rock ?

[HennyRoo]

I have a 6 week old Cornish/Rock cross meat bird that has decided to give up walking. I find no injury on palpation of the left leg but he sticks it out and refuses to stand. I have separated him from the others by putting him in an extra-large dog crate (in the pen with the other chickens so he can still see and chit-chat with them). He has his own food/water so they don't trample him and he seems perfectly ok with this arrangement. He continues to eat and drink well, and is lively and chatty other than not walking around. My question is this... will he continue to grow under this circumstance or should I cull him now in spite of his relative vigor? He's not quite big enough to eat yet and I hate to waste an otherwise healthy bird.

 

[dangerouschicken]

He's old enough to be butchered, even if he's not quite huge. I mean, you can expect by 6 weeks to start having leg problems in meat birds. There are some people who have been able to keep their birds one more week, even with splayed legs. I think it might be better just to butcher him and use him as a "fryer" rather than have him be in pain.

Edited to add, you said he's chatty and happy. Maybe you can use that as a guide. He will continue to grow, one would think, as long as he is happy.

 

[Momma_Cluck]

I think she hit the nail right on the head there!
As long as he is eating, happy and chatty-- let him grow! As long as he is not in pain or suffering!

 

[HennyRoo]

I went out and checked on him this noontime and he was cleaning himself and buck-bucking like usual. I've picked him up and he just sits back down. He doesn't panic or seem unduly stressed, just can't stand up. He's eating and drinking well too, still, and I removed the poopy bedding under him so he's clean and dry. I guess I'll play it by ear.

Thanks for the advice!