Is this a breed thing?

[MamaDoula]

The chicks we "rescued" from the box in the TSC parking lot have literally doubled, no, tripled their size in a week. They're HUGE, and they're starting to not be able to support their own weight. This is pitiful.

Could they be a fast-grow breed? What's the most humane thing to do for them?

They're starting to make weird noises, too.

 

[LeBlackbird]

Sounds like you have Cornish rocks! They're meat birds, and it's considered not humane to keep them alive for more than 6 months

 

[Iluvmypeeps]

Sounds like a typical Cornish/Cornish mix to me, is that what they are? They are meat birds; so they were bred to grow faster, and to grow larger. Often, like your situation, their legs can start to wobble or even collapse.

I'm not sure what the most humane thing to do would be... I hope someone else can answer that for you.

Hoping all goes well for your babies!!

 

[LeBlackbird]

Cornish are a quick growing breed that will be ready for the pot in 8 weeks, If left to live for very long, can result in the following...
Heart failure
Clots
Air bubbles in breast
Busted, twisted legs
Respitory illness
Slipped tendon
and a ton other problems!

 

[MamaDoula]

I should take a picture of before and now...I'll do that here...just a sec..

 

[sydney13]

their are some tricks to make them stay alive longer then 6 weeks

 

[LeBlackbird]

lol, Wieght loss plans and reduced feed ^^

 

[the4heathernsmom]

We had some we rescued from chicken houses that lived for well over 3 years and they even laid eggs only every 3-4 days but the eggs were brown and huge!!!! They did have a little trouble getting around but lived out their lives here and seemed happy just a little slower moving that most and they never roosted just slept in nests.