[mtoyne]

We currently have 5 chickens that we keep as pets. Daughter wants a white one (shes 2). OH was talking to someone who he works with who can probably get us a chicken that is currently being kept as a broiler. My concern is im aware of how these chickens are kept, and that they are fed so much that they can barely stand, could we succesfully rescue one or are they physically in such a bad way that we would not be able to nurture it back to good health? Any advice would be very welcome. We have 3 beautiful ex batts so im aware of what rescuing chickens entails.

[hotterotter]

Nah it wont work they're meant to be slaughtered at 7-14 weeks dependant on the strain, after that age (i.e. even before they're fully mature) they develop leg and balance problems, their genetics is overbred to the point where it is cruel to let them live to maturity. Messed up or what? If you need a white chicken there's hundreds to choose from: amberlinks , white star are hybrids There's white or light versions of many pure breeds. But if its gonna be a pet for a kid why not a fluffy white silkie or something cute?

[mtoyne]

thank you so much for your reply. thought no one would be able to help me. Will tell OH. It hadnt occured to him about health probs. We want a chicken that is going to be part of the family for a long time. Intensive farming can be cruel cant it.

[bedifferent]

Well, i agree with the idea that it might be best to cull the bird, but assuming that it is getting around ok, then maybe it could be trated with a diet and exercise. Of course, it may not work so in which case the best thing is not to prolong suffering - seems a shame not to try though  :?:

[mtoyne]

thanks bedifferent, that is the conclusion we have come to aswell. Spoken to OH about it and even if this chicken only lives for a year, its longer than it would have got.

[babe]

im with hot to trot, they are bred for a totally different purpose., and if its for your daughter, a poorly wobbly chook that wont be with her long, isnt really a great pet.

have you not thought about a little white fluffy silkie, a proper little girlie chicken.

[mtoyne]

We would get 1 at 3 weeks old which is when the farmer gets them to feed them up. Do you think that would make any difference to the chicks chance of survival or not?

[Jellyhead]

:oops:

[babe]

We would get 1 at 3 weeks old which is when the farmer gets them to feed them up. Do you think that would make any difference to the chicks chance of survival or not?

that i dont know mtoyne, im sure someone else will.

at just 3 weeks, its going to be a lonely chick. not big enough to go outside and will need chick crumbs, then growers.

then deal with being pecked when she does go out as she will be so much smaller and have had no experience of any chook company

[mtoyne]

babe you have so much good advice. chickens are as stressful as having children.

[babe]

i wouldnt know hun.... im not getting stretch marks for no b*gger  :roll:

[mtoyne]

I look at women with flat stomachs and im so jealous.

[Jellyhead]

:oops:  :oops: erm............. :oops:            :lol:toooooooooooooo late for me :roll: