Adding Infected Chickens to Flock

[emmabrant98]

Hello everyone! I have three hens currently and have been looking to add to my flock. I picked up a few pullets from a local farmer last week and quickly realized one of them had an infected-looking eye and the others had nose discharge.

I notified the woman I had bought them from and ended up bringing them back to her as I am new to owning chickens and didn’t feel equipped to handle the issue quite yet.

They didn’t interact with my other hens, but what I’m wondering is if it is safe to get other chickens from the same woman? Or do you think all the chickens are carriers of a respiratory disease? She even offered I could have the chickens back after they recover a bit but I’m nervous to endanger my current flock.

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Do not get any birds from this source. Many respiratory diseases result in birds that remain carriers and can infect your flock for the rest of their lives. I would suggest getting pullet chicks in the spring and raising them to add to your flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

Great advice from Sourland. Many people do not mind passing on chickens who are carriers of a disease. Most respiratory diseases which cause runny eyes, nostrils, coughing, sneezing, etc can last forever. All your chickens will become carriers for life until the last one is gone. Any new flock members should be quarantined for at least a month, and monitored for symptoms of disease. I will only get new chickens as baby chicks from a hatchery or feed store who have not been exposed to other older chickens. That is the best way to not bring in a disease.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

^^^Ditto!

 

[Folly's place]

You might have already infected your flock, if these birds were out there at all, or if you didn't keep everything they touched either washed/ disinfected, or thrown out.
As mentioned, only birds from good hatcheries, or home bred, are best. And get your hatchery chicks vaccinated against Marek's disease also.
Mary

 

[FrostRanger]

Don't walk, run away from this source as fast as you can and don't look back. This exactly why quarantine is so important. Be glad you took the time to do so