Experiment done on 4H Polish Chickens. Help!

[operator16]

I am worried about our WCB Polish chickens. We got them from a rescue at a few weeks old. It turns out that there was a young girl who did some kind of 4H project on them where they were loaded with steroids and other chemicals. I cannot get a clear story and am worried about their long term health. They seem to be vibrant and eat, sleep, and act like I'd expect healthy chickens to act. I didn't know any of this until weeks after I got them home.

The rescue lady has tried to get the gal to respond to my emails just to let me know what she did with them since May and the girl won't reply to either of us.

Have any of you ever heard of this?

I would like all the insight you may have on this type of experiment, 4H, etc...

Thank you!!!!

 

[ChickLover98]

Keep a close eye on their growth and health. Maybe the experiment wasnt anything too bad. I would definately try to get a hold of the lady who did the experiments on them, but if they are acting and looking good, I wouldnt worry too much about it. Good luck!

 

[bargain]

Our daughter was in 4 h and no steroids were allowed for their chicken projects. It's been a while, I have a hard time believing rules have changed. I'd call the near by 4H office. It's probably a lame excuse to make the feeding of her chickens someone else's responsibility.

If 4H is allowing such experimenting on animals, they really should be in a lab environment....Just my 2 cents worth...Nancy

 

[sourland]

If the young lady is not responding, contact the 4 H office and get the name and phone number of the poultry club leader. Contact that person and determine the nature of the "experiment." I seriously doubt that steroids were part of the project.

 

[operator16]

I hope you're right. I'll follow your recommendations. However, the 4H gal is a family member of the rescue lady's. But, I guess you're right, the info is coming to me second hand. Thank you for the suggestion.



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[Cindiloohoo]

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I agree...may be something as benign as vitamins versus raising without vitamins. I'd give them a call.

 

[Mahonri]

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My thoughts exactly.

 

[operator16]

I'll let you know what I find out!

Thank you all. I hope you're right!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

They probably fed it chicken house feed, which has steroids & growth hormones in it.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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??? Not sure what "chicken house feed" is, but steroids and growth hormones are illegal additives for chicken feed. Birds raised for sale, whether for meat or eggs, cannot legally be fed growth hormones or steroids.

The whole idea creeps me out. Not so much that a kid might come up with such an idea, but that the parents or 4H leader would not provide the guidance of why such an experiment is inappropriate, and disallow it.