Chicken rehab

[K_UU]

I purchased a few more hens on the weekend. The conditions they came from were deplorable. Overcrowded, poor air quality, not enough roosting space. They are roughly the same age as my “total” free range birds. They go in the coop at night but have the whole farm to explore and a 10 x 25 run which they rarely use at the moment. It’ll get used more in the winter obviously.
The new birds are half the size, dull, all tail feathers plucked out, etc. Should I wait until all their tail feathers are in before introducing them, so they look more robust? They are in the barn in quarantine right now. How long does it take for them to grow back? These poor birds are the result of “Covid over hatching”
They haven’t seen the light of day and it really shows. Weak looking legs, etc. Should I keep them as a separate flock until they are as strong as my other birds?

 

[sourland]

I would be tempted to keep them separate as long as is practical given the approaching winter. Once they are refeathered and stronger they will have an easier time integrating into the flock. Well done on rescuing them.

 

[aart]

How old, in weeks or months, are these 'rescued' birds?
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[Mrs. K]

I am not as generous as Sourland, I would never take birds I feel sorry for... or almost never. (A rooster, but a long story) I would practice a VERY severe quarantine, with these birds. Or you may wind up in a huge mess. At least 8 weeks, at that time, I would add to them, two of your original birds. If those birds get sick, (at least it won't be your whole flock) I would either keep them separate forever, or cull them.

This time of year, they just might be coming out of a molt, course with your talk on covid...maybe not? Age of the birds would tell. If they are coming out of a molt, that would make healthy birds look just like death warmed over. If so, then 6 weeks they should perk up.
I would still be very cautious with quarantine. I generally am not a huge advocate of quarantine, as most really cannot do it, but I am picky as to what I add to my current flock. To me, healthy looks healthy... but unhealthy is what you are describing.

Mrs K

 

[featherhead007]

Build a separate flock for them. I lost a lot of great birds by integrating sick ones into my original flock! (Very sad)

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

I purchased a few more hens on the weekend. The conditions they came from were deplorable. Overcrowded, poor air quality, not enough roosting space.

God bless you for doing this. You are a good soul...