Tomorrow is supposed to be his last day.....

[mixedbreeds]

Cornish cross have a lot of sweet personality I raise them for meat I can’t help myself they are so friendly I end up petting them and they like it. All I can say is the ones I have enjoy a great life be it short but they are well fed and taken care of until the end when they end up on the dinner table. That’s a heck of a lot better life than the millions of them that are raised in gross conditions and sold at stores.

 

[RUNuts]

Yes, always provide water. If they are in the grass, they will eat. Mine did and I had some grass in the gizzards, but not the mushy feed.

If you get worked up, you might cut yourself. If you have to, calm yourself down first. You will be fine.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

So, Enchilada is now in his holding crate and has plenty of water and shade. The girls are sitting by his side keeping him company. I put their food and water out of his sight so he didn’t get worked up over seeing it and not being able to get to it. Eating is his favorite activity. My neighbor and I think the other might be a girl, because of how much smaller and delicate she looks, so they have decided to keep her. I will have my closest friend and of course my husband there to give me support tomorrow. Should I cover up the crate so that he stays calm or do you think he will be ok looking around while in his pen?

 

[cmom]

I have several in freezer camp.

 

[chickendreams24]

I tjint hellh be okay looking around. If he seems panicky you can cover him but it would be better if he can enjoy his last day.

Also we withhold feed for 12 -24 hours.

 

[chickendreams24]

Thank you autocorrect.... Ugh

 

[JDN]

The hard part is, that you have to keep a meat flock so you don't get attached to one of them.

Its like going fishing in your Koi Pond otherwise...

 

[rhondademulder]

I have three rules on meat animals...

1) Never name them. They are not pets, they do not need a name.

2) Do not make them tame. There is no greater betrayal than to teach an animal to trust you, teach it that you are a friend and protector, and then kill and eat it.

3) Don't raise meat animals.

#3 is because I could never kill them as anything other than a mercy, and if I had them processed by someone else, I could never eat the meat. I would know what it was.

That said, Enchilada is a breed of chicken who is likely to suffer the longer he lives, who was never bred to survive. A clean death now would allow him to die in the height of life, without ever experiencing the discomfort that would come later. Ultimately, you can view his death as the greatest gift you could give him - a quick, clean end to life, before he's ever had to know suffering.

 

[rhondademulder]

I have three rules on meat animals...

1) Never name them. They are not pets, they do not need a name.

2) Do not make them tame. There is no greater betrayal than to teach an animal to trust you, teach it that you are a friend and protector, and then kill and eat it.

3) Don't raise meat animals.

#3 is because I could never kill them as anything other than a mercy, and if I had them processed by someone else, I could never eat the meat. I would know what it was.

That said, Enchilada is a breed of chicken who is likely to suffer the longer he lives, who was never bred to survive. A clean death now would allow him to die in the height of life, without ever experiencing the discomfort that would come later. Ultimately, you can view his death as the greatest gift you could give him - a quick, clean end to life, before he's ever had to know suffering.

I agree totally and Sadly from experience (having raised and butchered hundred of C X birds over the years) this genetic cross has a weak cardio vascular system and especially very weak hearts. The birds is bred to grow so large so quickly (even tho you can limit the feed) the legs wont be able to support the weight of the bird - they cant roost or jump very well. They wont remain healthy long enough usually to lay eggs or breed. If you want this bird for a pet - it will probably be a short life -but go for it and good luck !

 

[featherhead007]

View attachment 1378254 View attachment 1378255 View attachment 1378256 So tomorrow is supposed to be the day that I put Enchilada in his holding pen for processing on Wednesday.i got him for this reason; to eat a bird that I knew for sure had lived a good life, to know that when I move to my land in WV that I would be able to be responsible at animal husbandry in all its forms, and to know before I have a bunch of birds that I was actually going to be able to do it. Here is the deal though, I am sooo attached to him. I was told that CX’s don’t really have much of a personality and I thought that this would make it easier, but he does have one. He has a wonderful personality and I love watching him with the girls. I know he has a bit of an eating disorder, that was clear from the start, but isn’t personality what matters? Seriously though, how am I supposed to end this guy’s life....this just sucks. Someone please give me a kick and a talk about putting on my big girl pants because I am losing it over this bird.

Don't do it! That's "Enchilada" right there, spare him his life!