Need advice on a rooster with no legs

[roosterhavoc]

They do see it my way. I read the article, and this is a direct quote:
"Although primarily concerned with improving conditions for billions of factory-farmed hens, The HSUS considers backyard chickens a potential component of the “Three Rs” for a more humane, eco-friendly diet: Reduce consumption of animal-based foods, refine the diet by avoiding foods from the worst production systems (e.g., by switching to eggs from pasture-raised hens) and replace animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives.

“If you can raise your own chickens and do it in the most humane way possible, then we would see that as a ‘refine’ approach,” says Sara Shields of Humane Society International, an HSUS affiliate. "

Maybe you should do a little more research on them. Chickens with missing legs would be considered poor husbandry at best, neglect or animal cruelty at worst. Neither would fit the bill for their description of “humane chicken raising”.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that @LynMcLean made it pretty clear in the first post that she was looking for help in caring for a disabled chicken. I have never had a chicken with that severe a disablility, and not sure how I would handle it, but everyone has their opinions. We all have to have a realistic idea if we can devote the time to taking care of a chicken that cannot walk well enough to get around. As long as he is not suffering, it is worth trying. He probably would get clobbered if he was placed back in the flock, but he might live a decent life as a pampered pet. Hopefully, we will see more posts from the OP that show progress made without unsolicited criticism, and that others who have dealt with this will offer help and suggestions. I remember an old post by @CMV who mentioned a mean ol rooster back when she was growing up who lost both legs, but he got around just fine on his stumps. I have a straight A grandson with CP who has used a walker all of his life to get around, so it’s great to see some spunk.

 

[333113]

Maybe you should do a little more research on them. Chickens with missing legs would be considered poor husbandry at best, neglect or animal cruelty at worst. Neither would fit the bill for their description of “humane chicken raising”.

Husbandry is a farming business term, and probably as such has little place in this discussion.
Taking care of a beloved pet whether or not they have legs does not constitute "neglect" or "cruelty."

Let's not beat up on chicken owners who take care of their birds. In my opinion, culling is a valid way to deal with a damaged bird, but so is converting him to a pet. The article talks mostly about a wholly different way, dumping the bird on a shelter.

This thread is a responsible owner asking for advice. If your advice is culling, fine. If you have other advice on how to make the bird's life more comfortable, fine. If you are going to invoke or bestow judgement, definitely not fine, in my opinion. That's what I am saying.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Nowhere did I say I thought it was cruelty and wasn’t worth giving him a good life. I clearly said these kinds of threads can be used against backyard chickens keepers.
Certain groups might look at something like this as neglect or cruelty. There have been many threads where deciding factors on whether or not to allow byc were based on not just noise but also health and welfare concerns.
Also chickens aren’t humans. I’m not sure the comparison makes much sense.

 

[ldrchickens]

He is also a sweet little guy! He is a Mille Fleur D'Uccle. My profile picture is of what he used to look like before all this happened.



I am the same type of person. He is being spoiled, getting extra treats and time sitting on the couch.

That is awesome! This world needs more people like us! Forsure keep us updated on his progress and his life. Creat a facebook page for him lol hell go viral for sure

 

[BY Bob]

Nowhere did I say I thought it was cruelty and wasn’t worth giving him a good life. I clearly said these kinds of threads can be used against backyard chickens keepers.
Certain groups might look at something like this as neglect or cruelty. There have been many threads where deciding factors on whether or not to allow byc were based on not just noise but also health and welfare concerns.
Also chickens aren’t humans. I’m not sure the comparison makes much sense.

Those groups are the same people who say having a munchkin cat is cruelty because they consider the genetics that created the short legs cruel.

The animal in th his case is the responsibility of @LynMcLean. It is their decision how to proceed. In my opinion (and this is only my opinion) no matter what decision they make some one outside of them will be unhappy. Outside of basic living conditions, we cannot and should not let others determine how to care for the animals/pets in our care. We are responsible and need to make the decisions as we see fit and have to live with the consequences and responsibilities of those decisions. Again just my opinion but I will be following to see how everything turns out.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Does he have a name

 

[roosterhavoc]

Those groups are the same people who say having a munchkin cat is cruelty because they consider the genetics that created the short legs cruel.

The animal in th his case is the responsibility of @LynMcLean. It is their decision how to proceed. In my opinion (and this is only my opinion) no matter what decision they make some one outside of them will be unhappy. Outside of basic living conditions, we cannot and should not let others determine how to care for the animals/pets in our care. We are responsible and need to make the decisions as we see fit and have to live with the consequences and responsibilities of those decisions. Again just my opinion but I will be following to see how everything turns out.

I totally agree. I still haven’t given my opinion and won’t because regardless of what I think about the bird it won’t change a thing.
I only stated that having a rooster missing not just a toe but both his legs up to the hocks can be looked at by others in many different ways. Sometimes the heartwarming story of keeping a bird alive and taking care of him overshadows the events and decisions that led him to be in this condition in the first place.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Munchkin cats are highly prone to serious issues with their spines and internal organs, and kittens with 2 copies of the gene that causes short legs die in the womb. Not to mention that they can't run around and jump nearly as well as a cat ought to be able to. They're not healthy animals, and as such really shouldn't be bred.

This rooster is going to need a lot of care to live anything like a good life. He needs to go in a sling so he's not just lying down all the time, and his diet needs to be watched carefully so he doesn't get fat from not being able to move. He should probably be put somewhere he can interact with other chickens- maybe a couple of others should be brought inside with him? Chickens are too social to be kept alone. Once he's healed up enough, some sort of short prosthetic could be used in conjunction with a wheelchair to let him push himself around. He should NOT be made to push himself around on the stumps of his legs, nor left to sit on them and try to stand. It's very likely painful, and will be too hard on the ends of the bones long-term, causing more issues. You don't need anything too fancy- I've added an attachment of what I think would work.
While he can't move around on his own, he should be moved frequently, several times a day if possible, to give him changes of scenery. Since he can't get enrichment from jumping onto things, he'll need additional enrichment in other ways, like juicy weeds to peck at.

I think this might work. A layer of elastic bandage around his leg as padding, then a prosthetic made of several popsicle sticks with something solid at the end. Wrap the end in rubber padding for gripping, and use bandages over the top to secure it. You'd want to check every day that there was no irritation underneath. The feathered legs will make it harder, I'd be a bit worried about ingrown feathers, so you'd probably want to take these off him at night. The idea is to let him put pressure on the ends of the prosthetics, which transmits the pressure up to his leg without putting any pressure on the stump. Making him walk on the stumps would be painful, this would be, at least, less so. Combine this with a sling wheelchair, and he ought to be able to get around some.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

I agree with @Fishkeeper on getting more birds for him to be with him inside such as bantams
Be sure to bring him outside a lot also so he can breath fresh air and sunbathe