Eating a chicken who is unwell

[Jilissa]

We have one chicken who came to our flock already quite old and she seems mostly healthy. She lays no eggs, however and her behind is always goopy. We haven't had her for long. I am not sure maybe it's better for the flock she is not around.
But my companion wants to eat her and I don't know if it's healthy because of her crusty behind maybe it's a sign of chronic infection. Maybe cooked well she can be for the dogs to eat?

 

[sourland]

I believe in 'waste not, want not', but I would not eat her. Most likely she would be fine, but why bother?

 

[Mtnboomer]

She will be tough and the meat stringy. For her meat to be enjoyable, cook the meat off the bone for stew or soup.
If she is eating, drinking, and acting normal then she is most likely ok to eat. Regardless, when you open her up during butchering you'll know. It wont look right.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

Do you have a picture of her butt?

 

[Jilissa]

She will be tough and the meat stringy. For her meat to be enjoyable, cook the meat off the bone for stew or soup.
If she is eating, drinking, and acting normal then she is most likely ok to eat. Regardless, when you open her up during butchering you'll know. It wont look right.

Thanks!

 

[Jilissa]

Do you have a picture of her butt?

I can take one..I'll post it when I can...my phone isn't able and I don't have a computer. But I'll take one today.

 

[Folly's place]

'When in doubt, throw it out'! Words to live by, when it comes to food safety.
She may be able to have a nice life a bit longer, and just cleaning off her rear end would be good. If she's already in your flock, it's too late to worry about any contagious diseases she might have. Let her enjoy her 'declining' years, if you can, and decide about her edibility when you do butcher her, if you do.
Mary

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I can take one..I'll post it when I can...my phone isn't able and I don't have a computer. But I'll take one today.

Have you looked into is possibly being vent gleet?

 

[Mosey2003]

It depends on how you do things, but an old non-layer that serves no other purpose (say, a dedicated broody if you're into that) would be culled at my place.

For me, it would depend on what sort of dirty behind she had and how she looked when I opened her up as to whether I would eat her or not. I usually have a hen/pullet or two that for whatever reason tends to get some poop stuck to her vent feathers. That wouldn't bother me a ton (provided the internals all looked normal). But actual vent gleet? No thank you, that's a cull and toss in my book (if it's a cull bird to begin with; if it were a valuable bird, I would probably treat it).

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Watching.