Hen starting to sneeze

[Katydid2011]

Quote:
Gloria Jean - I'm so sorry for your loss and I have no doubt that you did the right thing considering your circumstances.

I've never had to deal with anything like what you did. I lost one hen very quickly and two others out of nearly 50 became lethargic. I separated those girls and treated them with antibiotics. I don't know what it was (I don't have an avian vet) but the one that died became ill very quickly - lethargic, puffed up, a slight wheezing/rattling, and her rose-comb and wattles turned purple. No sneezing, runny nose, head shaking, etc. I still believe it was a respiratory illness of some kind and because I treated with antibiotics, I won't use the two hens as layers anymore. The rest of the flock is closed just in case it was something like MS, albeit I doubt it was.

When I said I won't buy pullets/hens past POL, I meant because you never know what kind of illness they may have had in the past and what kind of treatment. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find unscrupulous people selling layers that had been treated with antibiotics without disclosing it, for example. Pullets that have been treated with antibiotics before they reach POL aren't at risk of passing the antibiotics in their eggs as I understand it. I'd rather hatch my own layers or buy from a reputable breeder.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.