Did I just make a terrible error?

[jeza921]

Thank you all for responding so far. I have read extensively in the forums, and advice for my symptoms vary from "go to the vet, medicate her, and let her sleep in your house" to "nuke the site from space, it's the only way to be sure". I do appreciate that some of you are raising pets and some raising livestock, so I guess the decision is up to me regarding where I fall on that spectrum.

Tonight I'm going to go home and watch them in the stall. If the weak one is still honking and not eating, I'll cull them both. It's a good night to do it because my husband will be working and he has a softer heart than I do.

I feel very guilty about this, because I brought them home with the promise that I was going to take care of them, and all I did was bring them home to kill them.

 

[jeza921]

I have another update. I didn't cull them. I sat in the stall with them for a long time watching and listening to them. Maybe the sound the one is making is not a cough? It's like a goose honk. Like, instead of clucking, it's a honking cluck. Bizarre. Both their eyes and noses are clear. I'm going to give them a chance. With the only symptom being the honking from the one I can't bring myself to do them in yet. Eating and drinking is not enthusiastic but they are. Poos have gone from diarrhea to normal. They've been with us a week tomorrow. Is it possible they were having diarrhea and weird stools due to stress at the auction? It's possible if they were brought from far away they hadn't eaten or drank most of that day. Also, any idea what the honking is? Is it a cough?

 

[tulie13]

Quote:
My Easter Eggers make a sort of honking noise sometimes - you mentioned you had Auracanas...

Chickens can have diarrhea-like watery poo if they get overheated or if they have not eaten enough. Could have been from the stress.

Glad you didn't cull them, and I hope everything works out OK!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Our buff orp and the barred rock both honk instead of cluck. It could be just a different noise. I'd hold off on culling until you've had more time to watch and assess.

 

[jeza921]

she is a barred rock! I'm feeling more hopeful now.

 

[zowieyellowflame]

When I first got my hens, they sneezed, and quickly recovered. I am glad you are assessing for a while longer. My hens were better in about 6 days. I packed too many in too few boxes. They were all panting and overheated when I got home. Maybe it was from that.
Woo hoo! Hope things go well for u.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
Oh barred rocks are NOTORIOUS honkers!!