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Bear in mind, if you cull him now, and he's too small to eat, then that's a waste. By nursing him back to health, you are making the most out of his life. That's not sick or morbid, in my opinion. Good luck with him. Maybe some nearby BYCer wants a nice roo!
Thanks for thekind words. I am torn on the whole thing. I do think a wasted life and a wasted bird is wrong on some level. I also strive to provide the best possible life I can for my flock, regardless of their purposes be it eggs, meat, breeding, or all the above. That said, I would have culled him in an instant regardless of his size if I thought he was suffering or so badly injured he would have died painfully and slowly, because it is humane and compassionate to end suffering when possible.
I got some blukote and fly stuff for him, and also cooked him up some oatmeal and scrambled egg last nite. he ate it with as much gusto as he could considering his injury. Seems to be doing well. It looks so much worse than it really is, and I think tonight I am going to trim back some of the broken feathers that are sticking straight out, and put him back in the coop after its dark and calm and the others go to bed. Hopefully his re-intro isnt an issue, hes only been gone a couple days. Im home all day tomorrow so i can keep an eye out for any picking or fighting.
And yes...If there is any Ohioan BYCer that is on the search for a nice, hand-fed young cockerel, I have a couple of them that would be great roosters. They are Black Australorps, and if I had the room or the capacity to keep all 6 of them I certainly would. There is only room for one though....for the good of the whole flock. I cant have fighting miserable roos, or poor bedraggled hens that are not appreciating of too much "lovin"
