Have you ever culled a whole flock becuase of illness??

[spuetz07]

I have some chickens that are sick from introducing sick hens (long story, my mistake). Now I believe mine to be sick as well. Have you ever culled a whole flock and started over to prevent diseases? What is the best way to do this? If I do it, maybe I should wait until close to winter, so I can still enjoy them. Then Id get new chicks next spring. But what do you do with so many culled chickens? I have 7 adults, and 10 chicks about 3 months old. Ive never actually culled a chicken before, and to be honest, not sure if I could. What should I do?

 

[Redsquirrel]

How are they sick? What are the symtoms? If it is bad then waiting until Winter seems cruel. Then they would be suffering and sick for a long time.

 

[spuetz07]

The biggest rooster has a hard time inhaling, sounds like gurgling? And his crow is quite weak. One of the hens is beginning symptoms of resp. illness. Im pretty sure that they all have fleas. I have the powder, but havent attempted it yet. But if a few are sick, I can only assume that, in time, they ALL will be sick as well.

 

[NotTheMomma]

See if the state vet will come test your birds so you know what you're dealing with. They usually test for free. That way you know what you need to do.

My prayers are with ya. Please have them checked before culling your entire flock.

 

[Redsquirrel]

Sounds like two different illnesses. Can you isolate the two sick ones-each in different areas? Culling a whole flock for two sick ones seems to be jumping the gun. Respiratory illnesses can be treated easily if caught early and the fleas or lice are easily treated with dusting.
I had two sick ones and treated them - they are now healthy, happy hens. Was hard at times but they rely on us to help them.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I agree. I don't think I would cull my whole flock before trying everything else first. Lots of illnesses in chickens can be treated with just some simple medicines in their water for a week or so. I can't recommend which ones you should use because I can't see or hear your birds but I think I would search out help for respiratory diseases first and try and treat them. Dust them for the mites, lice, or fleas. I think you will find that you will end up not having to cull them.

Good Luck to you and hopefully another BYCer will be able to help you further.

 

[speckledhen]

As usual, I am a wet blanket here. Though I would isolate the birds from the flock, I would cull the ones showing symptoms then observe the rest. Being exposed may not mean being infected.
I personally will not treat respiratory illness because, unless you know for sure what they have, you do not know if they are now carriers of it for life. Even if the bird seems to recover, they are not really well and can always infect others with some diseases, like infectious coryza. If you have one tested, at least you'll know what you're dealing with.

 

[MandyH]

We had to cull an entire flock of about 150 cochins of various ages several years ago. My husband found some "pitiful" hens and called himself resuing them and they had Coryza. NEVER again will an animal enter this property that wasn't born/hatched here.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

MY DH bought about 30 or so chickens once for meat. One started getting sick and within a week the whole bunch was sick. So he killed them all and burned them in a hole. We didn't have chickens for several years after this and then I got some good hens from a good breeder.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
Now that I think of it this way what speckledhen is saying makes tons of sense. I guess it depends on whether you are just going to keep the birds you have or if you want to add to your flock at some point.

Oh speckledhen, You are not a wet blanket and I have learned alot from reading your posts and replies.

Edited for grammar