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

[bobbi-j]

I would go ahead and process him. The worst that will happen is the crop could tear when you remove it. You just have to wash the carcass out thoroughly.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

I would go ahead and process him. The worst that will happen is the crop could tear when you remove it. You just have to wash the carcass out thoroughly.

Ok. Henrietta is still not moving, she just keeps jerking her head up and forward like she is trying to clear her throat. Her eyes are still closed and she is cold and puts her head under her wing. I think that maybe I should look I. Her mouth and see if she has another.....baby something in there...her crop is huge. I think I am going to faint.

 

[RUNuts]

Yep, you can go ahead and process to disperse the stress. A little more messy, but doable. Rinse everything well as you go to minimize contamination.

I have no clue about Henrietta. I sometimes feel similar to that after I gorge. But I don't eat baby mice.

@aart any ideas? have you seen this?

 

[aart]

Enchilada got out of his holding pen sometime through the night and ate all the things...that fat asshole

I would go ahead and process him. The worst that will happen is the crop could tear when you remove it. You just have to wash the carcass out thoroughly.

Just be very careful you don't nick the intestine when cutting around the vent.
I put my birds in a crate with only water overnight before processing in the morning to clear out the intestines, then give a tablespoon of scratch grains 20 minutes before kill to make it easier to find and remove the crop.

I have no clue about Henrietta.
@aart any ideas? have you seen this?

Hmm not sure, never had this happen. Maybe give her a day and see if she recovers.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

I had him in a dog crate all day yesterday with just water. I brought him and the dog crate in the house last night and when I got up this morning he was out of the crate and running around my house...he ate all the cat food.

 

[aart]

I had him in a dog crate all day yesterday with just water. I brought him and the dog crate in the house last night and when I got up this morning he was out of the crate and running around my house...he ate all the cat food.

sorry but
Guess you need to secure the door better...or did someone let him out?
Maybe wait another day, do the hen too if she doesn't get over her choking event.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

I think maybe my cat Edward opened the cage. He likes to sleep with the chickens every chance he gets. Been that way since I brought them home, I would keep catching him asleep in the brooder...he only weighs 18lbs, so surely they took him as another chick. Damn that cat.

 

[Jamie Molihan]

It’s done, it was awful, I am never doing that again.

 

[bobbi-j]

I’m sorry it didn’t go well for you. Something to consider - if you ever want to try raising more meat birds, check around to see if there is a meat processor in your area that does chickens. Or find someone experienced in doing so and hire them.

 

[Aerliss]

*hugs*

I'm sorry this has all been so traumatic for you.