When to cull crippled birds

[4MYBUB]

My Cornish X Rocks are at 4wks & 1 is a cripple tha has both legs pointing outwards while it walks on its knee joints. It gets to food & water no problem now BUT as he grows will he make it to harvest time or do the usually have a higher early mortality. Kinda feel sorry for him , but he might be extra tender idk , help

 

[cavemanrich]

If he lasts another 3 weeks his bad day will come anyways. It is obvious why you have this breed. Do you think there is a meal from him now ???

BUT MOST OF ALL

 

[4MYBUB]

When TSC was selling pullets for $1 the manager offered me the broilers for FREE because they were already 2wks old. Always wondered about the "steroids and hormones" they get fed in commercial operations. So thought it be a great learning experience for my son & myself. Your dinner has a soul & respect the sacrifice it made.

 

[cavemanrich]

When you raise them yourself , then you know what you are eating. Cant argue with that. I am not aware of how much steroids and hormones are in use in the USA.

We eat chicken often, but not our own. My chickens are ONLY PETS. We do eat the eggs. Chicken meat is from the grocery store. We don't appear to be showing any bad signs of prolonged commercial produced chicken consumption.
Many years ago, I have heard of instances that were tied to hormones and chickens. Young boys were developing breasts. It was caused by eating juiced chickens. I have not heard of that occurring recently though. Most likely these practices have been banned here. Research it and it should come up in the 1970 s".

 

[Coralietg]

My Cornish X Rocks are at 4wks & 1 is a cripple tha has both legs pointing outwards while it walks on its knee joints. It gets to food & water no problem now BUT as he grows will he make it to harvest time or do the usually have a higher early mortality. Kinda feel sorry for him , but he might be extra tender idk , help

4 weeks is about when Cornish game hens are processed. Would make a good dinner for two.

 

[4MYBUB]

That's what we have learned. They don't get ANY hormones or steroids. However IMO the benefits of raising our own meat are , raising my kids to respect their food it has a soul , it gave a sacrifice for you. Just like they have learned hunting. We take pride in the fact that we DONT buy store bought meats much at all anymore.
And from this endeavor we have decided to start looking into growing commercially.