Help! Gave my new Hen a bath and now she is breathing really raspy.

[SMcIntyre0820]

I got a few new hens and I noticed one had a goopy rear which I was advised to give her a bath. While I did that after I noticed raspy breathing. I did not notice it before hand.i also noticed she is missing a claw, and has alot of broken feathers, and under her vent is really red. Is thia aomething I should be worried about. Im sitting in the bathroom with her drying her off and Im afraid to put her back with my other girls.

 

[Whittni]

Oh sweetie, it sounds like you may have purchased a sick bird. Go ahead and dry her off and let her rest in a warm place for a while. If she looks any better tomorrow, let her out with the other birds you bought.

 

[CluckTwice4Yes]

This is what I've read (not an experiencied chicken keeper, but working my way through Storey's Guide): isolate the ill chicken for a couple of weeks in her own crate w/ food and water. You can put triple antibiotic ointment on the irritated vent. One concern would be a respiratory issue getting to your whole flock - might want to isolate all new hens for a few weeks as a precaution.

 

[SMcIntyre0820]

Thankyou! I put her in an old dog Kennel outside the chicken pen after drying her off as much as possible. I bought 3 new hens and introduced them sooner than I should have (didn't research it first andjust followed bad advice) the other 2 act and look normal other than a bit neglected from their previous owner. She originally had a goopy rear and I gave her a bath as instructed and after I noticed the raspy breathing as I did not notice it before. Maybe I did something wrong while bathing her? I also noticed she had watery poop. I am having a mini panic attack worried about my other hens as this is my 1st flock and they have done so well and Im a bit more attached than I should be.

 

[SMcIntyre0820]

 

[SMcIntyre0820]

Want to say thanks for the advice! The chicken I was worried about is doing so much better! I do have another coughing and snotty nose but my daughters 4H group told me to get antibiotics and we atarted those. Feeling so much better about all this. Made a few mistakes but it's a learning curve, and lessoned learned. My chicks are happy, and just started laying so we are excited!