Adding a new roo, tips?

Well, I placed my new roo in a tractor coop, just so he knows where "home" is and noticed he's "rattling" at times when he breathes UGH! (He seems to act fine, not lethargic and was pecking at the food.)
Contacted the lady and asked if any of her birds had any respiratory issues. Well, she says, "they had the 'snarfees' this winter." (Snarfees=sniffles??) Her husband had been treating them with tetracycline x 4weeks in the water. They said they haven't noticed any symptoms for the past month.
The roo is a Belgium danver, I'm unfamiliar with the breed. He's little but I believe an adult. Sorry for taking this thread sideways....things kinda went sideways.


Remove him from the coop... spray down everything with disinfectant. Keep him away from the hens as far as you can and don't wear the same shoes or clothes when working with him, and wash your hands vigorously up to the elbow.

Chickens do not get colds. Occasionally, a very singular bird might develop an issue with dust or a stand alone respiratory issue but if multiple birds are having problems that suddenly occur when it gets cold 99% of the time it's a contagious respiratory disease, typically Mycoplasma. Tetracycline is a medication designed for treating Mycoplasma and a few other respiratory diseases; while it can sometimes be helpful in treating other issues, that is what's it most effective at. The issue is that is DOES NOT CURE MYCO OR ANY OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASE. These diseases are generally incurable and once infected remain within the bird and flock for life.

My personal recommendation would be to take him to an avian veterinarian and get him blood tested for Mycoplasma Gallisepticum and Mycoplasma Synoviae. This test typically costs between $20-$40 dollars. It is probably the most important $20-$40 you will ever spend on your chickens. Many respiratory diseases look alike but require different treatments; you need to KNOW what you're dealing with. If he comes back positive and the hens are still asymptomatic, cull him.

For future reference I'm going to reiterate my advice in my prior post:

Though if he's from an unknown source he should be quarantined away from the flock for 2-4 weeks prior to introduction.

Please take it from someone who knows - quarantine is so so so important. Dealing with a Myco (S and G) positive flock is a royal hassle and pain in the you know what. This goes for pretty much any disease, though Myco is actually mild as far as respiratory issues go. It usually results in a whole lot of birds with "snarfees" rather than a whole lot of dead ones like some diseases cause.

And please know that I am not trying to alarm you or cause you worry or make you fearful. I just want you to take this seriously. I myself didn't, a long time ago, and I've never regretted something more in my life.
 
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Well, just to give an update. Went to load him into carrier and before I shut the door, he shot past me. REALLY??!!
Now this little bugger is loose, luckily the girls wanted nothing to do with him and would just chase him off, but didn't pursue him. After all day, on & off,attempting to slowly persuade him into A TRACTOR area...my son texted me as he was leaving and, the little guy walked into the tractor, I, originally had him in.
Take #2 tomorrow, he'll go back.
 

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