Question about breathing difficulties....

[ChickenLady896]

First time posting!

We have 50 Rock Cornish X, 6 days till processing. We've culled two so far to CHF (we believe-labored breathing, purplish/blueish skin, combs); they were culled approximately two weeks ago. Today, one hen, has labored breathing, with a 'gurgling' sound. Have never heard that before. Still eating, drinking.

They are being raised in a chicken tractor and have been on the field for almost 5 weeks now. We live in Southern Vermont and these chickens have survived Hurrican Irene and a very very rainy autumn. Extraordinary efforts were done to keep them dry....hay beds changed in the tractor every day, tarps to keep the rain out (removed when sunny or not raining!).

I guess my question is, can someone give me an idea what this chicken has? Is it pneumonia, bronchitis? If it survives till Saturday, is it edible?

Thank you to all!

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

Heart and lungs/air sacs work closely together, so problems with any can cause problems with the other. Could be the start of a respritory infection as well which could be devistating so close to harvest.

I have not had much luck with hoping a meat bird showing signs of trouble will make it to butchering day and find it better just to put them in the freezer a little sooner.

As far as eating, chicken is one meat that gets fully cooked and short of chemical toxins there is very little in the way of minor illness or injury that will render the meat unfit/unsafe for consumption.