Eating the hen my dog killed

[Triple Willow]

That one's a personal choice. I would not eat a bird that just dropped dead - not if I didn't know what killed it. A dog-killed chicken, yes, if I caught it right away and it wasn't too damaged. But not something that I don't know why it died. 

Diitto on that.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Kuntrygirl, bear with me on this question.  You said your rooster dropped dead and you processed him.  When you are cutting them open, are you looking at the heart, lungs, etc. to see if they look healthy?  I had a hen die last year, but my gut told me something was wrong, so we didn't eat her.  I would like to know what you look for.

Thanks,

Lisa

Excellent question!!!! My rooster died from an enlarged heart (sent pic to state vet). When I processed him, I looked at all of his organs thoroughly. And the organ in question was the heart. After doing more research and getting confirmation that it was an enlarged heart (from a VERY knowledgeable BYC'er), I contacted my state vet who I know personally to get his opinion on eating the rooster and he said it was fine. The rooster died from "heart disease". My animals are 100% healthy. If I suspected any type of illness, I would not have eaten it. Every situation will be different and that person will have to decide for themselves if they want to eat a bird that has dropped dead. If a chicken owner has problems with respiratory problems, worms, blackhead, etc., I would not advise that person to eat any birds that drop dead. I'm lucky that I don't have those problems. And chicken owners who have those problems with their animals are not allowed on my property. I practice safe bio-security at my place . You can't walk around my yard without shoe covers. Anyone who refuses to put them on are asked to leave my house. I take strict precautions when it comes to my birds. One careless slip up and someone could bring disease onto my property. That ain't happening.

As far as what I look for and I will say this first. I have several BYC'ers that post a lot and have A LOT of experience when it comes to diseases, necropsies, etc and I have learned from them over the years. As far as what I look for. I look at EVERY single innard separately to see if it looks abnormal. I look for any type of discoloring inside (green color, etc.) I am an avid reader when it comes to diseases, medications, "how things are suppose to look on the inside of an animal", "what is normal and what is abnormal", etc, etc. I often take weekend classes about poultry, livestock, disease management, etc. I took a year long course with a local Ag University and learned a lot about animals. Anytime there is a class nearby about livestock, farming, disease and disease management, I'm always there. I feel it is my responsibility to be a responsible farmer. So, I am VERY familiar with diseases and what is normal and not normal but sometimes I do contact my state vet if I have any questions. I have over 300 animals, so that's why I always read everything I can about my animals, so if something is not right, 9 out of 10 times, I will know what it is and if I don't, I know who to call.

I know my reply was way too much info but I just wanted to make sure I was thorough with my answer.

I hoped this has helped you.

I will end by saying you are right to follow your first mind. I don't advise anyone to eat a bird that has dropped dead if they don't know what happened. And even if they think that their bird has died from fighting with another bird, does that person really really know if that bird doesn't haven't some other diseases??????

I will PM a pic of what his enlarged heart looked like.

 

[kuntrygirl]

No, he isn't infected. He is completely healed. We've never killed a chicken before but he will be our first. Decisions will be made then whether to save or dispose.

That's the best time to make those decisions - when you can see the condition that the meat is in. We hunt, and have ended up with previously wounded ducks or pheasants. You will know if the meat is bad. Wishing you the best in your first time processing experience. 

x2

 

[TexasLisa]

Excellent question!!!! My rooster died from an enlarged heart (sent pic to state vet). When I processed him, I looked at all of his organs thoroughly. And the organ in question was the heart. After doing more research and getting confirmation that it was an enlarged heart (from a VERY knowledgeable BYC'er), I contacted my state vet who I know personally to get his opinion on eating the rooster and he said it was fine. The rooster died from "heart disease". My animals are 100% healthy. If I suspected any type of illness, I would not have eaten it. Every situation will be different and that person will have to decide for themselves if they want to eat a bird that has dropped dead. If a chicken owner has problems with respiratory problems, worms, blackhead, etc., I would not advise that person to eat any birds that drop dead. I'm lucky that I don't have those problems. And chicken owners who have those problems with their animals are not allowed on my property. I practice safe bio-security at my place . You can't walk around my yard without shoe covers. Anyone who refuses to put them on are asked to leave my house. I take strict precautions when it comes to my bird. One careless slip up and someone could bring disease onto my property. That ain't happening.

As far as what I look for and I will say this first. I have several BYC'ers that post a lot and have A LOT of experience when it comes to diseases, necropsies, etc and I have learned from them over the years. As far as what I look for. I look at EVERY single innard separately to see if it looks abnormal. I look for any type of discoloring inside (green color, etc.) I am an avid reader when it comes to diseases, medications, "how things are suppose to look on the inside of an animal", "what is normal and what is abnormal", etc, etc. I often take weekend classes about poultry, livestock, disease management, etc. I took a year long course with a local Ag University and learned a lot about animals. Anytime there is a class nearby about livestock, farming, disease and disease management, I'm always there. I feel it is my responsible to be a responsible farmer. So, I am VERY familiar with diseases and what is normal and not normal but sometimes I do contact my state vet if I have any questions. I have over 300 animals, so that's why I always read everything I can about my animals, so if something is not right, 9 out of 10 times, I will know what it is and if I don't, I know who to call.

I know my reply was way too much info but I just wanted to make sure I was thorough with my answer.

I hoped this has helped you.

I will end by saying you are right to follow your first mind. I don't advise anyone to eat a bird that has dropped dead if they don't know what happened. And even if they think that their bird has died from fighting with another bird, does that person really really know if that bird doesn't haven't some other diseases.

I will PM a pic of what his enlarged heart looked like.

Thanks for giving me a thorough answer. I would like to see the picture if you don't mind.

Lisa

 

[kuntrygirl]

Excellent question!!!! My rooster died from an enlarged heart (sent pic to state vet). When I processed him, I looked at all of his organs thoroughly. And the organ in question was the heart. After doing more research and getting confirmation that it was an enlarged heart (from a VERY knowledgeable BYC'er), I contacted my state vet who I know personally to get his opinion on eating the rooster and he said it was fine. The rooster died from "heart disease". My animals are 100% healthy. If I suspected any type of illness, I would not have eaten it. Every situation will be different and that person will have to decide for themselves if they want to eat a bird that has dropped dead. If a chicken owner has problems with respiratory problems, worms, blackhead, etc., I would not advise that person to eat any birds that drop dead. I'm lucky that I don't have those problems. And chicken owners who have those problems with their animals are not allowed on my property. I practice safe bio-security at my place . You can't walk around my yard without shoe covers. Anyone who refuses to put them on are asked to leave my house. I take strict precautions when it comes to my bird. One careless slip up and someone could bring disease onto my property. That ain't happening.


As far as what I look for and I will say this first. I have several BYC'ers that post a lot and have A LOT of experience when it comes to diseases, necropsies, etc and I have learned from them over the years. As far as what I look for. I look at EVERY single innard separately to see if it looks abnormal. I look for any type of discoloring inside (green color, etc.) I am an avid reader when it comes to diseases, medications, "how things are suppose to look on the inside of an animal", "what is normal and what is abnormal", etc, etc. I often take weekend classes about poultry, livestock, disease management, etc. I took a year long course with a local Ag University and learned a lot about animals. Anytime there is a class nearby about livestock, farming, disease and disease management, I'm always there. I feel it is my responsible to be a responsible farmer. So, I am VERY familiar with diseases and what is normal and not normal but sometimes I do contact my state vet if I have any questions. I have over 300 animals, so that's why I always read everything I can about my animals, so if something is not right, 9 out of 10 times, I will know what it is and if I don't, I know who to call.


I know my reply was way too much info but I just wanted to make sure I was thorough with my answer.


I hoped this has helped you.


I will end by saying you are right to follow your first mind. I don't advise anyone to eat a bird that has dropped dead if they don't know what happened. And even if they think that their bird has died from fighting with another bird, does that person really really know if that bird doesn't haven't some other diseases.


I will PM a pic of what his enlarged heart looked like.

Thanks for giving me a thorough answer.  I would like to see the picture if you don't mind. 

Lisa

I just PM'ed you. Let me know the pics don't come through.

 

[June85]

How long after your bird has been killed can you wait to dress them for consumption? It’s unfortunate but my dog has killed two and I’m at work for 5 more hours.