Found a chicken on the road and took it home...

[Chachy]

There are commercial chicken trucks that frequent the roads around my daily commute. One night last week on my way home, there was a white, dirty, stinky chicken just standing in the road. I picked it up and took it home and have been keeping it separate from my other hens. I have made a make-shift coop out of a large cat carrier with pine chips in the bottom just to give it a slightly better "home" than it had before. The poor thing could hardly walk and was so dirty. It has since been walking a little more and has been preening itself, however, it has what seems to be a slight cough or sneeze. Is this something to be worried about? Also, it's so dirty and missing feathers on it's belly and butt and seems to have sores under it's wings. I was thinking about bathing it and wondered if this was a good idea or if I should just let it take its course. Will this thing spread disease to my other hens? They are only separated by chicken wire....

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Warm epsom salt soak/bath is not out of the question and would help soothe the poor thing. It is most likely some sort of Cornish X, so already fat?

 

[Chachy]

Yes, the thing is fat and heavy as all get out! Short, stumpy legs. I'm trying to give it the best life possible, but wonder if it being butchered would be better : ( This has definitely made me consider vegetarianism...or at least spend a little more money on local pasture raised meat.

I would like to introduce it to my other hens so it can sleep in the coop at night as it gets fairly cold here at night in the upstate of SC and hate that this chicken is by itself but don't want to introduce anything to my hens.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Yes, the thing is fat and heavy as all get out! Short, stumpy legs. I'm trying to give it the best life possible, but wonder if it being butchered would be better : ( This has definitely made me consider vegetarianism...or at least spend a little more money on local pasture raised meat.

I would like to introduce it to my other hens so it can sleep in the coop at night as it gets fairly cold here at night in the upstate of SC and hate that this chicken is by itself but don't want to introduce anything to my hens.

Culling would be beneficial for this poor thing. Do NOT put it in your coop!

 

[Smuvers Farm]

PS.



Glad you're here!

Please make sure to visit YOUR STATE THREAD to meet people near you!

 

[WVduckchick]

I wouldn't put it in with my chickens for at least a couple of weeks.

Post a pic if you can. We can probably help determine what breed it is and how old. Sadly, many of those chickens raised for commercial purposes are specifically bred to get fat quickly, and they butcher them quickly. Some aren't even able to support their own body weight on their legs, they grow so fast.
But there are folks that breed them to a more normal growth rate, and do keep them longer than their commercial life spans. So if it isn't too old, it could still lead a happy life!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Good feedback here, and I too was wondering about her weight and whether she should be culled.

But how wonderful of you to take this little darling home and love on her. I'm looking forward to photos so the others can determine what she is and what should be done for her.

Meanwhile I second the warm epsom salt bath. It's easy and very relaxing for chickens. You could use a washcloth to bathe her and get her nice and clean. The salt water will also help heal any wounds she may have from the fall.

With all the nice care I see people giving their chickens, I'm starting to wish I had feathers and a beak.

Keep us updated on how she's doing.

 

[Chachy]

I will definitely be posting pictures later. Thank you all for the help. I just couldn't see her suffering in the road waiting to get hit. I thought about culling, but honestly, now that I see first hand what the commercial chickens are like, I wouldn't want to eat it. I mean, you always know how they treat them, but you are blind to it until you actually see it. She seems happy in the back yard...well, as happy as she can be, I suppose. She walks, eats, poops and preens....what else do chickens do, really?

 

[sannabelle]

Walking is great!!! Look out for labored breathing that's not a good sign for these fast growing type birds. For her sniffles you could give her some crushed raw garlic and vetrx on her nostrils and in her water. I would give your other hens vetrx also...just because they are in such close proximity.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I will definitely be posting pictures later. Thank you all for the help. I just couldn't see her suffering in the road waiting to get hit. I thought about culling, but honestly, now that I see first hand what the commercial chickens are like, I wouldn't want to eat it. I mean, you always know how they treat them, but you are blind to it until you actually see it. She seems happy in the back yard...well, as happy as she can be, I suppose. She walks, eats, poops and preens....what else do chickens do, really?

Give her a long, warm salt bath (no, not brining her!!! lol), get her cleaned up, give her a hand full of treats and then get us some pics!!!

Edit To Add: Culling her may be the best option FOR HER.... not for you. Again, these chickies are bred to grow fast and get culled young.