Help! New hens have Breathing problems

[Ellen333]

Just bought these 2 dual purpose hens 2 days ago. They are very large and are about to start laying. My sister bought 2 from the same guy about a month ago and hers have just started laying. The guy could not tell me their breed. Red Flag #1. They seem like they may actually be Red Broilers? now that I am looking at them. However, one of them coughed several times on the way home but was not sure if that was really what I heard. I kept these 2 separated from the rest of my chickens just in case. Then I noticed the second one was breathing with its mouth open and has labored breathing. It seems to really be struggling to breath and even stretches its neck up a bit to get extra air. I even heard it wheeze once. It seems to stand just to breath better. It also closes its eyes as if exhausted and weak. They are both sick with some sort of respiratory issues. Eyes are NOT gray. One is much worst that the other. I gave them a 1/4 pill each of some medication the feed store gave me to de-worm them. I am also putting a bit of Diotamacious Earth in their food and Fertrell Nutri-Balancer in their food. I have been putting Broiler Booster in their water (1/4 teaspoon/gallon). That has electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and includes Biotin. The one that is mouth breathing is not eating as much as the other. They have been very stressed with the new environment but are calming down now somewhat. I have them in a Dog kennel with wood shavings to watch them, no heat lamp as I am in south Florida. I initially thought I was buying dual-purpose pullets and planning to keep them for eggs, but now I'm wondering if these are Red Broilers meant for meat and need to be processed. My vet would charge $65 for the visit plus any meds. Not worth it since I paid $20 each. Not sure if they are safe to eat if processed. What could this be? Can I get them healthy again? Would it be safe then to add them to the rest of my chickens (both cornish-cross and egg-layers)? Not sure what else to do. First time raising this many chickens for family sustenance. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[hysop]

I would wait until they’re healthy again before adding to your flock.

And I personally wouldn’t spend that much on a vet because although my chickens are pets, they are also food. But I know there are people out there that spend tons on vets for their chickens and there’s nothing wrong with that.

I don’t know what breed they are, but definitely don’t process while they’re sick. Get them healthy first, but if it will be too pricey to get them healthy then I would cook and feed to my outside dog who eats all sorts of questionable things.

Sorry that man sold you sick chickens I keep hearing a lot of stories like yours.