Cornish X roo not looking so good

[poacher]

Hi
I have been a longtime reader of this great site but I have never joined until today. I have 18 meat birds that are ready to be put in the freezer. the problem is 1 the biggest roo in bunch for last two days has had a droopy tail not eating at all and his crop is huge even in the mornings and is having very runny poo. They only get fed twice a day so there is no food in the pen at night.They are raised on pasture so no straw or shavings to eat. I am not really trying to cure this roo since this weekend is the big day for them. My problem is should this guy make it to the table or should he be discarded. I would hate to waste a chicken but I don’t want my top priority (my family)to get sick either. These birds are not being sold strictly family consumption.Any thoughts on what you would do. I am thinking sour crop or something similar. Is a chicken with sour crop still edible.


thank you

 

[CMV]

He's probably still edible. I would process now. Check the carcass over once you process. If anything looks awry I would discard or give him to the dogs (cooked, of course).

Good luck.

 

[psittacinekane]

My advice is to process the roo today.

If you've adhered to proper flock maintenance throughout, I wouldn't hesitate to feed the bird to my family.

You don't say how old your flock is, but my instinct says it's the beginnings of organ failure for which this breed is renowned. Best to have something worthy of the stock pot (if not a full Sunday dinner) than nothing at all for your efforts.

Additionally, you're going to completely discard anything remotely to do with its crop anyway, so that won't factor into the roos 'finished' product.