Filthy Coop Condition

[teach1rusl]

This post is a few months old, but I wonder what the OP decided to do

And yes sosanista, there is most definitely a range of views on chicken rearing on this forum. I wouldn't have taken the bird myself. I know commercial birds lead miserable lives, but I suppose out of sight - out of mind for me...I didn't know those poor things. Probably had I seen a commercial chicken house in person, I'd feel the same way...couldn't eat it. I know meat birds get a lot dirtier than layers or dual purpose birds, but I'd still want bedding and an attempt at maintaining cleanliness for the sake of the birds...

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It's funny that most animal welfare groups and naturalists promote the idea that chickens should be free ranged, especially with other pastured animals so they can pick through the other animals manure, pick out any leftover grains and eat the bugs, and work the manure into the earth. Why is that idea seen as "all natural", while allowing them to scratch around in their own manure is seen as horrifying to some people?

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I am confused...thought it was better to have coops on the ground? Our chickens have never been "elevated"...

I did recently acquire a few bantam chickens (for free!) that had only been on wire bottom elevated cages their entire lives. Those poor birds have bent up toes, overgrown nails, and several had large wads of dried balls of poop that their toes were so buried in that they were walking around with them and I had to soak them for about a half hour just to soften enough to remove. It will be a coop on the ground for me forever after I saw the condition these birds' feet were in.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

BigDaddy'sGurl :

I am confused...thought it was better to have coops on the ground? Our chickens have never been "elevated"...

Better is in the eye of the beholder, there are pros and cons to either.

Many people elevate smaller coops. Elevated coops provide easier access, keep rodents from living underneath, and provide shade for birds to range underneath. These coops generally provide an outdoor run or free range access. To keep a bird on wire 24/7 will lead to the problems you describe. Wire floors are generally not recommended.

Obviously larger coops are hard to elevate. Coops on the ground can have concrete floors that can be seen as an advantage. Concrete is easy to clean and allows the birds to wear down their nails if they are cooped for extended periods of time, as many people in northern climates may keep them in for the winter.​

 

[PortugalBreeder]

Cook them long and hot enough so that if they have worms in eggs/larva form in their muscles you don't get contaminated.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
when they are free ranged they have the option to get out and away from the mess... whereas if they are locked up on top of their own filth, they obviously don't.

...not to mention the various diseases that come with it.. but hey, it's hilarious

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

Quote:
Better is in the eye of the beholder, there are pros and cons to either.

Many people elevate smaller coops. Elevated coops provide easier access, keep rodents from living underneath, and provide shade for birds to range underneath. These coops generally provide an outdoor run or free range access. To keep a bird on wire 24/7 will lead to the problems you describe. Wire floors are generally not recommended.

Obviously larger coops are hard to elevate. Coops on the ground can have concrete floors that can be seen as an advantage. Concrete is easy to clean and allows the birds to wear down their nails if they are cooped for extended periods of time, as many people in northern climates may keep them in for the winter.

After reading what I wrote a little later, I slapped myself on the forehead...lol

For some reason I took it to mean that the chickens were elevated only on wire the entire time...somehow the idea that they maybe had a ramp and access to a run eluded me...sorry for the confusion lol

I was, I suppose thinking about that guy who gave me those birds that had lived on wire and got confused.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
I donno about the rest of the world, but I elevated mine. Gives them a little more run space. As it is I've got four girls in a 63sf floored aviary... more than the 10sf per that's recommended... plus this way there's at minimum 16sf (the size of the coop) of shade even at high noon for them to cool off in during these really toasty Texas summers.

I'd want to see this guys processing area. If it's all clean, then no worries... as others said commercial chickens are way worse off. But without seeing it there's no way to know if it is clean, or if he takes the same attitude with the slaughter area as he does the coop.

 

[BlackBart]

Quote:
Any animal has the basic standard right to live in a clean environment, to be fed and treated humanly before butchering.
Ethnically I couldn't support this type of behavior. To me is is sort of like supporting a puppy mill. There is a huge lack of decent animal husbandry. The stench of ammonia would almost make you vomit.
Not to mention what might be lurking in the meat. JMO

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I'm curios to the OP's results on her "free bird" I would have taken it.... and gave it to the dogs. Go against what I believe in.... it takes 5 minutes to put fresh straw down. Even commercial houses use bedding.