This may be a stupid question, but....

[cowcreekgeek]

Thank you...

We have introduced new chickens into the flock before and have always kept them separate in the beginning. The 4-H kids that are in the poultry project have a schedule that they follow and the coop gets cleaned daily and the chickens get fresh food and water daily. Cleanliness and proper feeding have been two of the things that I have stressed to the kids about our coop and chickens. We are constantly looking for new ways to keep our chickens happy and healthy. Even our poultry parents enjoy coming up to take care of the chickens.

I am going to be at the barn today and will take a picture of her and try to post it but she does look a lot like the Cornish X posted above. I had a feeling that there might not be anything that could be done but because we raise our chickens as pets/show birds, the kids all hate thinking about the alternative.

It's great -- fantastic, incredible, etc. No words sufficiently express the positives and principles developed, when folks do what you're doin' for kids. But, when it comes to animals and poultry alike? I'd encourage teachin' both ... yes, raise 'em for show, and market as examples of the breed. But, also, some (or something else) could, and probably should, be raised for food (for schools perhaps, as they'll contract for that these days), with this clearly expressed from the beginning ... ideally, w/ no names given, and in a different area ... but, not in any way that obscures the purpose they are to serve.

I'm another generation of farmer, and there's another comin' up around here, that's learnin' the importance of eating safe, healthy food, and how to produce it ... and, despite my years of experiences w/ multi-purpose creatures? I don't like "thinking about the alternative," either ~'-)