Coughing hen after bath

[Lexigirl00]

So I did something sort of stupid. Yesterday I bought a very sweet hen from a young woman who breeds and sells a few different varieties of bantam chickens nearby. We were all set up to meet and make the exchange, hen for $, and she let me know the hen was bathed just before she brought her over. She also let me know that since the bath, the hen had started coughing a bit and she was worried she may have gotten some water in her beak. She seemed honest and even said if the cough persisted we could just trade back. I had already driven all the way out to buy this hen, so I just bought her... after doing some research I’m feeling dumb. It’s sounding like a cough due to a bath is unlikely and it’s more likely this chicken has a highly contagious illness. I have her outside in a dog crate away from my hens, but is that quarantined enough? The closest they can get is about 5ft away.


I have zero experience bathing hens. Is it possible she’s telling the truth and this cough is only due to a bathing mishap? Has anyone else had that happen?

Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

I am sorry but it sounds like she sold you a sick bird.
Unfortunately 5 feet is not far enough away.

Hopefully your flock hasn't already picked up what this bird has.
I'd return her asap.

 

[Lexigirl00]

I am sorry but it sounds like she sold you a sick bird.
Unfortunately 5 feet is not far enough away.

Hopefully your flock hasn't already picked up what this bird has.
I'd return her asap.

 

[Lexigirl00]

Thank you. She was here for a couple hours this morning and then I returned her. I’m sanitizing everything she’s touched and going to hope for the best. My chickens are free range and all my neighbors have chickens the run in and out of all the yards, including mine, so it’s likely my birds are exposed to a mess of things I’d rather they weren’t, already. Thank you. I’m still hopeful she’ll get the bird cured and resell her to me as she was such a sweetheart. It’s hard to find tame hens for sale.

 

[featherhead007]

I bathe my birds. Right KIKI? all the time, NO coughing ever.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

So I did something sort of stupid. Yesterday I bought a very sweet hen from a young woman who breeds and sells a few different varieties of bantam chickens nearby. We were all set up to meet and make the exchange, hen for $, and she let me know the hen was bathed just before she brought her over. She also let me know that since the bath, the hen had started coughing a bit and she was worried she may have gotten some water in her beak. She seemed honest and even said if the cough persisted we could just trade back. I had already driven all the way out to buy this hen, so I just bought her... after doing some research I’m feeling dumb. It’s sounding like a cough due to a bath is unlikely and it’s more likely this chicken has a highly contagious illness. I have her outside in a dog crate away from my hens, but is that quarantined enough? The closest they can get is about 5ft away.


I have zero experience bathing hens. Is it possible she’s telling the truth and this cough is only due to a bathing mishap? Has anyone else had that happen?

Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

Thank you. She was here for a couple hours this morning and then I returned her. I’m sanitizing everything she’s touched and going to hope for the best. My chickens are free range and all my neighbors have chickens the run in and out of all the yards, including mine, so it’s likely my birds are exposed to a mess of things I’d rather they weren’t, already. Thank you. I’m still hopeful she’ll get the bird cured and resell her to me as she was such a sweetheart. It’s hard to find tame hens for sale.

I am going to have to suggest that you do not buy that same bird or any from that person again.
Chicken diseases don't just go away/get cured. Symptoms may improve but the bird is usually a carrier for life.

 

[Izzychicky]

I bathe my hens at least once a month never any coughing definitely a sick bird

 

[Kiki]

Why do people bathe their chickens?
I have never bathed a chicken.

 

[Sofia Salazar]

Why do people bathe their chickens?
I have never bathed a chicken.

I was wandering the same thing. Unless their bottoms are dirty from diarrhea.