Who here has raised meat birds.

[Free Feather]

From what he/she has told us, he is not suffering. You say killing him is putting his feelings above yours, but how can you say that? The entire creation of that animal has been born from people caring more about having fried chicken than an animal being able to walk. People will purposely get these for flesh and then say it is only fair to kill them before they are in pain, but the reason these birds keep being made is because people keep buying them! They are the reason Cornish x are in pain. In the OP's case, she accidentally got them. If he is a friend and a pet that she cares about, she would probably kill him when he was obviously does not want to live anymore and cannot get around, but she may not. To kill him as a preventative measure like you say he/she should is totally putting your feelings first - your feelings that chickens are inferior animals and livestock. You would not kill your grandmother when she got to be 60 because she could have a painful death later on. But I guess he is just a chicken. You would kill him because YOU thought he needed to be put out of his misery, and that idea in itself is putting your feelings first. It really is not your choice to make.

To the OP: If he does not want to live anymore, you will have to make the choice to end his life or not. In the end, the choice should not be about what anyone but the chicken wants, or anything that anyone else tries to tell you about them. This is an animal that is surrounded by biased misinformation.

 

[bobbi-j]

From what he/she has told us, he is not suffering. Not yet, but if left for too long, he will. You say killing him is putting his feelings above yours, but how can you say that? Read my last post. You will see how I can say that. The entire creation of that animal has been born from people caring more about having fried chicken than an animal being able to walk. People will purposely get these for flesh and then say it is only fair to kill them before they are in pain, but the reason these birds keep being made is because people keep buying them! You are right. People keep buying them because they are a very fast, efficient way to raise meat. I'm guessing you are vegetarian? Or at the very least don't eat chicken. That's your right entirely, but not to judge those who do. They are the reason Cornish x are in pain. No, "they" generally process their birds before they are big enough to be in pain. In the OP's case, she accidentally got them. If he is a friend and a pet that she cares about, she would probably kill him when he was obviously does not want to live anymore and cannot get around, but she may not. To kill him as a preventative measure like you say he/she should is totally putting your feelings first - your feelings that chickens are inferior animals and livestock. Pretty much, yes. I don't believe that chickens are simply little feathered people. You would not kill your grandmother when she got to be 60 because she could have a painful death later on. You're right. But my grandmother is a human being not a chicken. Human euthanasia is a whole different can of worms that I'm not going to open. But I guess he is just a chicken. Exactly! You would kill him because YOU thought he needed to be put out of his misery, and that idea in itself is putting your feelings first. It really is not your choice to make. Actually, it is. As the steward of my animals' health and well-being, it is every bit my choice to make.

To the OP: If he does not want to live anymore, you will have to make the choice to end his life or not. In the end, the choice should not be about what anyone but the chicken wants, or anything that anyone else tries to tell you about them. This is an animal that is surrounded by biased misinformation. I agree, but probably for different reasons.

I am now bowing out of this debate because I do not want to hijack this thread any longer, nor take a chance of it getting shut down.

OP, I wish you all the best with your chicken. You will know what the right thing to do is for your chicken. I don't believe any of us want our chickens to suffer, and I don't think you will allow that to happen either. Keep him alive as long as he's comfortable and seeming to be happy. You'll recognize when he's not.

 

[Angry Cupcake]

The OP asked for opinions and we are all entitled to our own. Yes, that bird was created by man's dominion interferring. So, because of that the bird will have and is exhibiting signs of health issues related to that. We are the guardians of the animals we keep, it is our responsibility to make sure their lives are happy and healthy. It is, also, our responsibility to not allow pain and suffering to go on. Yes, I would allow my Grandmother to make the decision to suffer or not. I, personally, think it is pathetic that we have enough compassion to not allow our animals to suffer but cannot do the same for ourselves. My animals are part of my family and I will do everything to keep them happy and healthy.

In the end it is the OP's choice what happens and they have now had a healthy debate for both sides.

I am not starting an argument. I am simply pointing out that some of your assumptions about motivation for one option are mistaken. As I stated in my original post I believe it is better to allow them to have a happy, healthy 10 weeks than more in pain.

This is the last post I will make here. I have stated and clarified my personal opinion. I am with bobbi-j and will not thread jack or threaten the OP's post.

To the OP, good luck with whatever choice you make. We all care for our animals or we wouldn't be here.

 

[Free Feather]

" Pretty much, yes. I don't believe that chickens are simply little feathered people. You would not kill your grandmother when she got to be 60 because she could have a painful death later on. You're right. But my grandmother is a human being not a chicken. Human euthanasia is a whole different can of worms that I'm not going to open. But I guess he is just a chicken. Exactly! "

Thank you for clarifying. Would have saved a lot of time if you would have gotten that bit out of the way in the first place. She/he seems to care about him, so your uncaring advice is pretty much irrelevant.

OP: My best wishes to you and the "little" guy. I hope he has a good life.

 

[bobbi-j]

" Pretty much, yes. I don't believe that chickens are simply little feathered people. You would not kill your grandmother when she got to be 60 because she could have a painful death later on. You're right. But my grandmother is a human being not a chicken. Human euthanasia is a whole different can of worms that I'm not going to open. But I guess he is just a chicken. Exactly! "

Thank you for clarifying. Would have saved a lot of time if you would have gotten that bit out of the way in the first place. She/he seems to care about him, so your uncaring advice is pretty much irrelevant.

OP: My best wishes to you and the "little" guy. I hope he has a good life.

OK, I changed my mind. I was going to bow out, but I do want to "clarify". Comparing a chicken to a human being is apples and oranges. Relatively speaking, if you're comparing a chicken to my grandma, then yes - it is "just a chicken". If you're comparing it to a different breed of chicken - say, a Barred Rock - I'd say keep the BR, as it has a chance to live a fairly healthy life for several years to come. I would not suggest killing it early just to avoid a painful, unhealthy life before it eventually succumbs to its problems as is generally the case with a Cornish X. Now I am bowing out for good.