Craigslist trade - failure

[Avalon1984]

I wish you all the best! Thank you for trying to save those poor little creatures.

 

[speckledhen]

I am going to say something that I know some won't like here. Most of us are very soft-hearted folks, myself included. We feel good if we remove an animal from a horrible situation, but chickens are not like dogs and cats. They can have diseases that stay in their bodies when the symptoms are gone, that they pass on to our healthy flocks. We are bound to protect and care for the ones we already have.

Sometimes, the most merciful thing we can do is to euthanize a chicken that has a disease that cannot be permanently cured. Mind you, I'm not saying yours are in that situation because you don't have all the facts yet, but our compassion for abused and neglected animals may actually endanger the ones already in our care so please think about that if you already have a healthy flock before bringing these into it.

Assess these birds over the next few weeks thoughtfully and observe them for symptoms of respiratory illness. Hopefully, by some miracle, they are free of that and you can nurse them back to full health.

 

[horsekeeper]

Almost agree, speckledhen. Horses, cats, and dogs can carry some nasty diseases and appear healthy sometimes because they are resistant or have recovered. Quarantine and observation is a must for any species you bring home, especially if you don't know the history. And yes, euthing is sometimes the kindest option.

 

[speckledhen]

You are right, I'm sure. I'm no expert on all dog, cat or horse diseases. I know that goats have a disease known as CL which is a carrier type disease, if I'm not mistaken. I do think it's really more common with avians to have carrier diseases than it is for mammals, though, more than people know.

 

[homesteadmomma]

I'm living with 55 in quarantine of which 54 were rescues. They are missing feathers on their backs, but like yours, their weight is good. I have started bathing them today. They are all getting wormed and dusted for mites, although I haven't seen one specifically. They are on the opposite side of our property and I'm hoping that I can integrate some into our current flock in about 6 weeks, and rehome some of the extras. I can totally relate to what you're feeling, because I too am I softy, and I wish you the best.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Quote:
x2

 

[StupidBird]

thanks, ya'll! They must not feel too bad, I found 2 eggs in their cage this afternoon. Their skin looks much better, less red, and are acting perky. Gave them all the layena they can eat, some cabbage greens, a bit of watermelon rind. The eggs were off white and normal brown.

The big question is, when do the feathers grow back? These are U - GU - L LEE! Poor girls.

Strict environmental quarantine. I'll put the dirty shavings in the garbage, not the compost, just in case (Right? or overkill?)

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Right! Nice job with them.

 

[Wisher1000]

Pics, please!

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
No such thing as overkill in this situation, IMO. You're doing good.