Rescued chicken from chicken truck

[amyaustin31]

Hi all

I've read some of the past posts about chickens falling out of chicken trucks and living for a bit. I picked up a bird this morning out of a turn lane on a local highway. I had stopped for a stop light and it picked up its head and looked at me. Couldn't just leave it there. I think it had been there all night, as it was all wet with dew. She/he spent the day with me at work on the back stoop and dried off, ate a little salad and then came home.

This bird can stand, has NO feathers on its underside, and appears to be otherwise unscathed from its fall from the truck. Got runny poop too and stinks to high heaven due to all the poop all over it. I swear, I may never eat chicken from the store again!

My question is, if prodded, it will stand and move a little then settle back down. It doesn't walk far, but moved around a bit in its box today. I have it in a crate quarantined from my small flock. Will it ever be able to walk? Or is it a hopeless case? I"m happy to let him/her live out their days being a real chicken, but I hate to just let it lay in the crate.....not much of a life.....

Help!

Amy

 

[BYCforlife]

I am not sure if it will ever stand, but I'd at least give it love as long as it lives.

It's a commercial broiler, I'd assume. If you feed her/him, don't give unlimited feed. At about 12 weeks they can die from overeating if given unlimited feed.

 

[Cntry1958]

Thanks for rescuing the poor thing. Sounds like it needs lots of love and a good bath or two. I would make it a small coop and get it out of the box if you can. Keep it away from your small flock as they may kill it since its so weak and can't stand for long. Separate coop and run is ideal. You can also late use it if you need a brooder are or for injured birds. Make it big enough for 2 birds so it can move around.

 

[BYCforlife]

Also, commerical broilers can barely walk even when perfectly healthy. Make sure to give it lots of exercise, (I know, sounds silly) and keep it walking around while it's healing.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Amy and welcome to BYC. I fear that you may be flogging a dead horse trying to prolong the life of a broiler. If one is to assume that it was on its way to slaughter, then it is already likely 6-8 weeks old. It may be kinder to cull it. Just my thoughts...

 

[drumstick diva]

Could you post a photo so we can see if she is a meat chick and what her present state is? Thank you for rescuing her.

 

[drumstick diva]

PS you can get them to exercise a bit, if you keep moving the feed dish farther away from them, water dish etc.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC Definitely post a pic and also checkout the meat bird thread. Folks here have been able to sustain CX birds for up to three years. We're so happy you joined us

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
I'd like to see a pic too!
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[blackdust951]

helloand welcome to backyard chickens!thank you for joining us