I've always known that chickens hide their injuries/pain well, but I didn't realize how much pain they could hide until today. We had a cockerel limping - when I picked him up, I could move his hock joint sideways, and I could feel a popping feeling in the joint, so I assumed that's where the break was. I noticed his limping 2 days ago - and I'm out with my flock A LOT. (just ask my DH) We put him down this morning. I was going to process him for us to eat, until I plucked him.
His leg was broken up high on his thigh, the back leg bone and he was internally bleeding. This boy had to be in some serious pain, though he didn't show it. The only sign was he couldn't put weight on his leg.
I have cooked him and will feed him to my dog.
Warning: Graphic pictures, don't click if you don't want to see.
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They do hide their injuries. I think them not showing pain is why some people think chickens do not feel pain.
