Time to kill?

[jgray1978]

We are new to the chicken game. We started with 10 chicks from Atwoods. 5 appear to be white rocks and 5 appear to be Buff Orpingtons. Then we later got 15 more chicks from a local guy on craigslist. 10 Rhode Island Reds and 5 (supposed) White Rocks. Tuesday the latest batch will be 10 weeks old. One of the white rocks has gotten heavier then all of the other birds (first and second batch). He weighs in between 6 and 7 lbs. We've figured that he is going to have to be slaughtered and am wondering what y'all think.

Tonight I was informed that he seems to make strange noises breathing. I went to get him and isolate him so that he would empty and he was bleeding from just above his vent towards his abdomen. Another chicken pecked a feather out of her when I was pulling her out. I assume that the bleeding is from being pecked. Is the meat still safe to eat?

 

[donrae]

Sounds like you got a cornish cross in your Rocks. They're the meat birds that grow crazy fast and have a high tendancy to die if not butchered around 8 weeks. Seems like it's time. Bird's fine to eat with the little damage you're talking about.

 

[jgray1978]

I've wondered that but supposedly these were all hatched.

 

[jdywntr]

I'd have to agree that it sounds like a cornish cross. Dual purpose birds don't get that big, that quick.

It will be fine to process.

 

[jgray1978]

Well, Big Bird (as we called him) is in the fridge. This was my first time. That was an experience...But fairly straight forward.