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In a way yes it is, when done properly and from the onset with a certain goal in mind, they can live very good normal healthy life's. The problem I see is with people who don't possess the knowledge going in and screw it up thus leaving the bird in a bad way and the owner still without a clue.
I raised mine from the outset with a goal and a strict program, they function very well and have served a very good purpose and are still alive, but it was done right not like those who are unable to restrict feed because of an emotional fault during the project. You can't start out feeding them for one goal and then switch in mid stream, shouldn't be done.
Raising them for a specific purpose (meat bird breeding stock) and doing it correctly is one thing, but doing it just to do it is another thing.
I had 6 of them that were
given to me by someone who had no idea what he had purchased. He had no knowledge of chickens and just thought it was cute to give me 6
white chickens. When I finally realized that they were meat birds I was really upset because I didn't need any more chickens let alone meat birds. So, the hardship of me having to process these birds was not a good feeling. I asked my relative if he could take the birds back but the feed store said no. So, I had no choice but to try to keep these girls alive. There was no one to process them, so I was just stuck with these 6 girls. So, I took it upon myself to do as much research as possible but little did I know there was no information out there for a breed that is not bred to live past a certain age. So, there I was trying to find a way to make it work.
So, I agree with you in that it is cruel trying to keep this breed alive and the person doesn't possess the knowledge going in. I guess that I was just lucky in implementing a feed, exercise and livelihood plan to have my girls for 4 years.
Knowing what I know now, I would NEVER go out and intentionally purchase a meat bird for a pet. It was too stressful for me but it appeared that my girls were as happy as they could be.
Here's a pic of 3 of my girls after having a dust bath. They were the most lovable chickens anyone would want to have. They would run out of the chicken yard and come over by me and sit at my feet. VERY sweet chickens.
