A couple of months back one of the hens got sick - listless, poopy rear end and stopped laying. Gave her sulfa medicine, and she got better, but still no eggs. She seems to be sick again. If we do away with her, is it ok to eat her? She is not on the medicine now.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), April 27, 2002

Answers

I would not.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 27, 2002.

I wouldn't take any chances with eating sick or diseased animals. A chicken dinner isn't worth getting ill over.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 27, 2002.

Why would you consider this? No way! I would get her out and away from the other chickens(read, kill or at least separate). she might be a carrier. If she is weak and unthrifty it is likely she has an abundance of parasites external and internal. Dust your other chickens after she is gone. Sorry about her, it is the pits to have one that is failing. LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 27, 2002.

well i doubt you are that poor if you have a dog butcher it and cook it for the dog then charge your self 3$ for dog food as profit. but it should be killed since it could be carying a chronic disease and infect your other chickens.i use an old presure cooker for this and dont even pick the chicken first cook it till its soft and it will be sterile and better dog food than you can buy

-- george darby (gardenalways@yahoo.com), April 27, 2002.

Hi Christina,,My motto has always been,,"when in doubt, throw it out" this of course pertaining to food in frig, cellar, or cubbords. But I would advise that you NOT eat a sick chicken. It's not worth the risk...and I am sure you have many healthy chickens to cook and lots of other good food. Take care, Patsy

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), April 28, 2002.