Medical advice needed

[Kylacat]

So I have some Cornish Cross that are about 7 weeks old. One of the females is about half of the size of the others. This wouldn't be a problem but she also seems to be having a problem putting weight on her legs. She stands briefly and then staggers backwards. She mostly sits on her bottom with her legs splayed out in a V. I have put a waterer in there that she can reach since I was worried she was getting dehydrated. Our other waterers are buckets with nipples on the bottom. She seems able to reach the food when the other birds let her. I don't know if it is related or not but her legs seem to be reddish between the toes. What should I do?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You'll likely be butchering soon anyway. She could have Marek's. They usually die because they can't reach food and water. Just make sure she can reach both and butcher her soon.

 

[cassie]

X2. Except I would change the butchering soon to butchering now.

 

[SJ]

X2. Except I would change the butchering soon to butchering now.

Butchering now is the most humane thing you can do. She is suffering, and the intention from the beginning was butchering her. The most compassionate thing you can do is give her a quick death sooner than later.

Its these kind of posts that gives me satisfaction in my decision to not ever raise the CX. Fast meat doesn't justify the immorality that the breed is the poster-child for in our broken modern food system. "Lets grow a bird that grows so fast its legs give out before it reaches 2 months old." YEAH. That is the CX. It was it does and there is so much wrong with breeding animals that are unsound. Even if the plan is to kill them for the start. No animal should have to suffer for days with sore aching joints just so we can enjoys ample(dry/flavorless) yields of breast meat. I digress.

Let the CX lovers say what they will about proper feeding and most intensive poultry husbandry but the simple truth is this leg problem thing is a non issue in all heritage breeds.

 

[Kylacat]

We did butcher her the next day. I couldn't watch her suffer although I did separate her and gave her food and water in a smaller area so she could reach it. I wish we had not raised the Cornish Cross and would love to get into heritage breeds. Some day we will be able to.