I am worried i cant eat my broilers!

[TyrannosaurusChix]

Ive noticed the bottom of the broilers feet have spots where the skin has cracked. There is no plug i believe to indicate bumblefoot, but does this render all of the meat unusable? I have reason to believe that probably all are this way.

Their legs and joints are fine( with the exception to ONE whom i semi- lamed myself with the tractor-- hes been bruised in the butt and thigh but is healing)


None of the feet that i have looked at is actually swollen , red or warm to indicate an infection, but im not stupid to think they arent at risk from their own poo! their "due" date is the second week of october. Not much time left.


What would you do?

 

[bigredfeather]

I would say it's okay to eat them. The feet of mine always get a spot on the pad of their feet. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

 

[jaku]

No problem- eat 'em.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I'd eat em' yum yum yum!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

This is happens with broilers a lot that are raised in tractors. Simple solution is to move them more, because what is happening is they are standing on their own manure. This creates a burn effect which makes the feet crack or turn black on the bad. Which is one of the reasons broilers that have this will not stand for very long.... it hurts their feet.

I move my pens at least twice a day but I get really good results when I do it three. However it's time consuming but I figured I'm here... mine as well move them.

 

[TyrannosaurusChix]

Thanks guys.

I cannot move my tractor by myself.. no wheels. bad planning, not enough time,e tc. since we have let them free range, and moving it every few days( when Dh is home-- he is a trucker so its not every day). This has helped tremendously with the poop - in- concentration problem. Its probably from before we started doing this.

 

[bigredfeather]

Quote:
I wish I was able to move mine that many times. Jeff, you have a great gig. I wish I could take the risk of quitting my day job and attempting to do what you do. Life would be good!

Do you need a partner? LOL

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I agree I am really jealous of Brunty's set up!!!