Rescued a meat chicken that fell off a meat truck need help!

[NDgoatgirlNV]

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[rjohns39]

Todd, I'm sorry, but you have a very healthy bird that is not going to make it much longer. You're going to have to decide how you want to proceed. This is going to sound brutal, so I apologize in advance.

1. You can keep him comfortable, as best you can until he passes
2. you can euthanize him
3. You can process and eat him.

I'm so sorry, you were dealt a bad hand.
We'll be happy to help you with what ever decision you make. And there's no judgement here.

 

[Hinotori]

Welcome to BYC.

It's great you have such a kind heart. You did the right thing. Please don't let the reality of the meat industry put you off chickens.

 

[rjohns39]

Welcome to BYC.

It's great you have such a kind heart. You did the right thing. Please don't let the reality of the meat industry put you off chickens.

X2 Meat chickens can be raised to live a fairly long life. Unfortunately after living in the factory, there is not much hope.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Welcome to BYC.

It's great you have such a kind heart. You did the right thing. Please don't let the reality of the meat industry put you off chickens.

Agree the meat industry is a completely different world. We live off the land don't get me wrong. But when is comes to how the food industry raises and butcher's animals is cruel. Owning backyard chickens is an amazing and thrilling experience. And so worth all the time effort to raise them.

 

[Hope Hughes]

X2 Meat chickens can be raised to live a fairly long life. Unfortunately after living in the factory, there is not much hope.

We had ours for like maybe 6-7 months give or take. And they were very happy with the flock and loved free ranging.

 

[NDgoatgirlNV]

I had a meat bird that I got attached to that was given to me with a name... I never EVER name my meat birds when I buy them as chicks... but this girl was super sweet and actually knew her name and came to me when I called her... She got huge.. I'm talking about 20 pounds and she was on a limited diet... At around the age of 6 months, I went out to feed and water all the girls one morning, and June the meat bird was out there chatting away at me like she always did and then all of a sudden, she went all stiff, opened her mouth and didn't make a sound and just flipped over backwards ...dead...
I couldn't believe it and I felt so guilty for not having processed her months earlier when I had processed my last batch of broiler birds... I have heard of people getting them to live up and over the one year mark, but they are basically on a very limited diet .... I wish you the best with this sweet bird... I will keep you both in my prayers.

 

[FirstTimeClucky]

Hi, and welcome!
I'm sorry things won't work out for the chicken you rescued. I know how you feel. My first chicken was a laying hen who was born with a hip defect and couldn't walk normally. She was given to me by someone who couldn't bring herself to euthanize her. Unfortunately the vet couldn't do anything for her and when she began experiencing pain I had to have her put to sleep.

I'd like to make a suggestion. If you would be interested in rescuing a chicken after this one passes, there are many available chickens who could use a home, like extra roosters, and hens who have stopped laying. I recently adopted a lovely bantam Cochin hen who stopped laying at 2 years old. She is friendly, sweet and makes a wonderful pet.

If you're interested you can usually find available chickens in the local want ads, especially if they have a Livestock section.

 

[rjohns39]

When I raise CX I ensure I have the right strain. And they live 8 weeks. But those weeks are full of exercise and fresh grass. They get lots of love and are well cared for. And in the end it still hurts to process them. It's hard to take a bird that trusts you and put it in a cone and end its life. But that is the nature of the beast.

 

[venymae]

I see you've gotten good advice here. Lovely healthy looking bird you have, with an unfortunate genetic makeup for life. If you are honestly up to it, I would process it and give it's life some meaning. I'm a fan of skinning my processed birds as I hate plucking feathers. And also, chickens are so much fun and make wonderful pets! I hope you decide to give them a try sometime in the future!