What to do with a hen with repeated sour/impacted crop?

[DawnB]

She has had a "floppy crop" since we adopted them last August. We've tried to treat her repeatedly but it keeps returning. If I had to guess, the muscles are just so over-stretched that it sets her up for it.

So, we are going to put her out of her misery...but my question is, is she fit for the dinner table? I wasn't sure if it was wise to use her for our dinner if she wasn't getting nutrition like she should over the last few months.

Thoughts anyone?


Thanks.
Dawn

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree that you're doing the right thing putting her out of her misery. Good for you for doing what's best for the bird. I don't think it would be unsafe to eat her. I wouldn't eat a sick bird, but it doesn't sound like she's diseased from what you've said. She may not have much meat on her, but you could always cook the meat off the carcass and use it in soup, stew, hot dish, or something.

 

[DawnB]

Thanks for the vote of confidence bobbi-j! After researching the most humane way of doing it, we dispatched her tonight. We decided she'd been under a bit too much stress to want her for the stew pot...but it was quick and hopefully painless.

Well, one more hurdle crossed on this crazy-train of chicken raising!

 

[Mattemma]

Sorry you had to make this choice.

I have had to cull 4 hens now. Sad each time,but at the same time I feel better about doing it as opposed to spending weeks/months tending to animals that will never really get better. My first sick hen bloated up like a penguin.Tended to her for 4 months before I got the nerve to cull her.