6 week olds and a sick mama

[sunnysmith]

Hi all! We have a buff who hatched two chicks six weeks ago. I found mama this morning with audible breathing, sneezing, and signs of respiratory distress. I've separated her and started her on Tylan 50 and Vet Rx. Her babies are used to sleeping under her, but I don't want them get ill as well. Do I keep her separate from her chicks. We also have 5 other grown hens, and all were living somewhat harmoniously. So babies are integrated with the others.

I live on the eastern shore of MD, so it's in the 70's during the day and maybe 50's at night.

 

[Pork Pie]

By 6 weeks they should be perfectly fine without mum - thats usually the age when my hens take the chicks to the main roost. Yeah, they'll complain bitterly about being separated from their mum, but thats the way it goes and in a day or so they will be fine.

It could well be that the chicks may already have whatever the mother has, so be prepared for symptoms in the future.

Good luck
CT

 

[donrae]

They've already been exposed to whatever momma has, so if they're going to get sick, they're going to get sick. Quarantining now is futile. I'd think it would stress momma more to have weaning forced on her and possibly slow her recovery.