Fat chick??

[linda_0517]

I have 11 chicks, about 3-4 weeks and have never had chickens before. One my chicks is about 3 times the size of the others, and I'm noticing him not walking around much and lying down to eat. Someone told me that they can get so over weight that their legs crumple. Is this true, and what do I do about it? I can limit his food, but how much should I give him, how many times a day? He really is huge.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Can you post a picture of him? You may have a meat bird.

 

[linda_0517]

I'm going to take a picture now. meat bird? they're bigger right?

 

[linda_0517]

K....i took the pic, but have no idea how to get it off the camera. it's my daughter's and i've never used it. i have no idea what kind of chickens these are because i got them from someone who had them sent to him as a joke. the fat one has all white feathers so far, and was always a little bigger than the others.

 

[Southern28Chick]

It sounds like you have a cornish cross. That's a meat bird. They usually don't live very long unless you put them on a VERY strict diet. I know there are some people on here that do have cornish.

Hopefully someone with experience with meat birds will chime in soon.

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/cornishcrosspage.html

 

[linda_0517]

Well that sounds sad! i want them all to live long. hope i get some good advice. thanks for your help!

 

[momoftwinsinwi]

I didn't order any meat birds, but one made it's way into my flock. I think he will be dinner within the next week or so.

 

[Kerr]

I just had my meat bird slaughtered
yesterday
He was a white rock
Normally from birth to the table is 8 weeks I'm told but mine
hung around for 4 months
he was big white and fat
just got to the point where he couldn't run with the others and then yesterday couldn't stand up
too chubby and his legs couldn't take it

so we knew it was time.....
I had to put his water right infront of him so he could drink and thats not humaine

He was our only meat chick in the group as well
The rest are egg layers who better start laying soon.......

 

[linda_0517]

Ohhhhhh .....slaughtering??! I don't think I even have a place to take him. Maybe my son can do it. I can't eat him though. He's so fat and lazy and easy to catch that I pick him up all the time. I see him lying down with his face in the food all the time so i make him get up and walk around. These are the first chickens I've ever had, and I didn't even know this could happen. Sucks being at the top of the food chain sometimes!

Hey momoftwins.....i had fish fry friday night. Guess where I'm from too!

 

[robbobbin]

When I saw the subject I thought
"hey-that ain't nice"

Is he talkin' about me?