Help please

[Satya Kaur]

I have a small flock of retired layers. They are healthy and happy free range girls plus rooster in rural Downeast Maine. I just took on someone's Cornish Cross that missed the bus to the slaughterhouse a few months ago. She is massively overweight and not walking. After 2 days in a temp coop, I freed her yesterday while they were out. She moved 2 feet in 3 hours. When I lifted her into coop, her entire bottom half was wet with poop which indicated she had not walked.. This morning I placed her 4 feet from the feeder, with her own water bowl, hoping she will be motivated to walk or scoot to the food. The run is very small with only a small section covered.

Winter is almost here, we have had nights in the teens, days in the low 30s, snow, wind, rain, and plenty more coming (although currently very warm), she has to be able to walk in and out of coop and to water and food. I have a full time job - I open the coop daybreak, close at nightfall., can only check one time during the day. The other birds move in and out all day. I am quite sure if she lost weight she would be more mobile but it has to happen now. Can I safely restrict her food significantly for a week or more? I do not want to harm her, but without mobility, I see no way for this to have a happy resolution.
Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have a small flock of retired layers. They are healthy and happy free range girls plus rooster in rural Downeast Maine. I just took on someone's Cornish Cross that missed the bus to the slaughterhouse a few months ago. She is massively overweight and not walking. After 2 days in a temp coop, I freed her yesterday while they were out. She moved 2 feet in 3 hours. When I lifted her into coop, her entire bottom half was wet with poop which indicated she had not walked.. This morning I placed her 4 feet from the feeder, with her own water bowl, hoping she will be motivated to walk or scoot to the food. The run is very small with only a small section covered.

Winter is almost here, we have had nights in the teens, days in the low 30s, snow, wind, rain, and plenty more coming (although currently very warm), she has to be able to walk in and out of coop and to water and food. I have a full time job - I open the coop daybreak, close at nightfall., can only check one time during the day. The other birds move in and out all day. I am quite sure if she lost weight she would be more mobile but it has to happen now. Can I safely restrict her food significantly for a week or more? I do not want to harm her, but without mobility, I see no way for this to have a happy resolution.
Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions

At this point, I don't think you can do much with the Cornish X.

I forgot to add the word think . I'm tired, so I fixed my sentence.

 

[bobbi-j]

It could be that it’s legs are just too weak to carry it. The kindest thing you could do for that bird is put it out if its misery.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

At this point, I don't you can do much with the Cornish X.

It could be that it’s legs are just too weak to carry it. The kindest thing you could do for that bird is put it out if its misery.

X2

 

[B-Goock]

Genetics created for one purpose. Grow fast for butchering in 8 weeks.
I've read of people restricting food while they grew but it they didn't live but a yr or so.

 

[bobbi-j]

Genetics created for one purpose. Grow fast for butchering in 8 weeks.
I've read of people restricting food while they grew but it they didn't live but a yr or so.

And it sounds like it’s too late to restrict feed on this one. Its legs are already not working. Heart and respiratory problems are likely soon to follow.

 

[B-Goock]

And it sounds like it’s too late to restrict feed on this one. Its legs are already not working. Heart and respiratory problems are likely soon to follow.

Its probably miserable and the humane thing to do would be to dispatch it.
Saw this before when someone bought cornish x for "pets" at Easter. Have to choose the breed based on your purpose and intent.

 

[Satya Kaur]

Its probably miserable and the humane thing to do would be to dispatch it.
Saw this before when someone bought cornish x for "pets" at Easter. Have to choose the breed based on your purpose and intent.

Thank you all. She has been so talkative since she came, must have really been missing company. But I concur. If I do not see her able to walk shortly, will help her to the finish.

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you all. She has been so talkative since she came, must have really been missing company. But I concur. If I do not see her able to walk shortly, will help her to the finish.

Good for you for wanting what’s best for this bird.