Thank you so much, I just bought 4 silkie hens, thankfully they were quarantined. I will be returning them to the breeder tomorrow because two are showing early signs of URI. The breeder agreed to take the chickens back. I've had them about <30 hours and I feel heartbroken. The breeder assured me that the chickens were heathy so when I called her she was very sorry that this happened. The breeder will be able to treat these hens but I am passing on any further purchases from this breeder. I am pretty frighten to purchases chickens with all the diseases and such. So, that is one of the many reasons I joined this group....therapy. I bleached (10%) everything that may have contact (from me). I changed clothes and shoes but mostly avoided my heathy birds. Is there anything else I should do once the chickens are gone beside bleaching the hen house and pen? The pen is brand new (my Christmas present). I feel so terrible! I was very careful and spaced the new chicken far from my flock. How long does the virus last once the chickens are gone....I know there are several different URI. The two sick chickens have discharge from nose and one from an eye. I am so bummed. All the breeder's chickens looked healthy, as far as I could tell. The four I bought, were in a separate pen and I did notice one looked dirty (face and head). I should have passed. After I got them home, I cleaned them up so they looked better but they were sneezing and scratching their face. They are super cute non-beardered silkies 4-5 months. I hope they make it. I guess I was too happy, too emotional, to think. I am pretty depressed about this whole situation, time and money, but mostly I feel bad for these chickens. Thanks for the help.
) X2 on drumstick diva; I'm also sorry that your Silkies didn't work out. Mountain Peeps and drumstick diva have given you some good advice so I'll just say, please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in getting some more Silkies.
