How to safely bring in new hens without germs, worms and lice!

[sherpagirl]

I have a small healthy young flock that has lead a sheltered life. I am going to introduce a hen that has been free ranging somewhere else and has probably been exposed to more than mine. What should I do to "clean up" the new hen before she is introduced to my flock? I don't know that she has anything but I want to try to prevent infecting the whole flock with something new (lice,germs,worms, etc). What should I use?

Donna

Central NY

 

[patandchickens]

Your best bet is to carefully inspect birds before you buy, and reject anything with problems; then quarantine for at least 3 weeks (somewhere AWAY FROM your existing chickens, and observe proper quarantine procedures); you can worm while the chicken is in quarantine if you want to and if the chicken does not seem to be stressed, although remember that worming is in itself a stressor.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat