I just experienced the worse situation

[CrystalLuvsHens]

I found an ad on Craigs List for Polish. I went to the house today. There was a notice from the state posted in the front yard that the house may be condemed due to unsanitary condition, loose fowl and standing water. I can not believe what I saw, and the smell was vile, I almost vomited. And I have seen it all working at a vet with cats/dogs, I have a strong stomach. Broke my heart, hundred chickens, all breeds/ages living in 3 inches of feces, dead and dying chickens all mashed together. I am thankful the state has interviened. I did buy 2 four month old Polish. I had to bathe and blow dry/heat lamp when we got home. They were covered in toxic feces and I dont know what else. I picked the healthiest ones I could find. I wish they could all find new homes or be euthanized. One Polish is doing okay. She has been eating and drinking. I put the good enzymes and antibiotics in food and water but the other Polish has not eaten or drank. When I pick her up she is fiesty but looks half dead in the cage. I have, of course, kept them away from the rest of my flock. The sick one has labored/open mouth breathing. I wouldnt have washed her, but again, she was covered in toxic material. I left that place hours ago and I still feel sick and have a headache, I cant imagine how the two girls feel. Obviously they have been neglected/abused and stressed by all that has happened. My local feed store is closed so I cant ask them for ideas. What can I do for the sick one? The best thing I can say is that at least she is holding her head up. She seems to be more alert when her sister peeps at her. If I seperate them,Im sure the sick one will give up and die?

Please help, this is a serious situation. The emergency vet, which is the only one open at 9pm said they dont know about birds.

 

[dawg53]

Cull them and bury them deep or incinerate them. No matter how much biosecurity you practice with them, there's too great of a risk of slipping up...and your healthy flock WILL get infected. Diseases can be carried on clothing, shoes, hands, vehicle tires and some are airborne such as Infectious Bronchitis. When you saw the sorry conditions these birds were in, you shouldve left the area and let the authorities deal with it.

 

[eviemethugh]

That's so sad...I hate to even think of that. Poor babies, I know I would have wanted to steal all of them, but yes please soak everything you wore in bleach or another good disinfectant.
There is no way to even know where to begin with what they could carry.
My heart goes out to you.

 

[CrystalLuvsHens]

That reply is NOTHING I would EVER do! I need help to save the Polish. I need useful help please.

 

[enola]

Dawg is concerned with the diseases these chicks may be carrying. Almost all respiratory diseases make chickens that survive carriers of the disease for the rest of their lives....... Good luck.

 

[CrystalLuvsHens]

Thank you, I undressed completely before I even came into the house from the garage to help stop contamination. I am going to bleach eveything, even my shoes and car mat. I was just going to wash them all by themselves, but bleach is a GREAT idea. The chickens went straight to the bathtub. I have their cage next to my bed indoors, no where near my flock and I wear special shoes in the backyard, not just whats on my feet at the time.

 

[dawg53]

That reply is NOTHING I would EVER do! I need help to save the Polish. I need useful help please.

I've seen this happen over and over again in this forum, people trying to save sick birds. Then having to cull an entire flock due to introducing one or two sick birds.Your heart is in the right place, but dont let it deceive you into thinking these birds can be cured. Birds with bacterial type respiratory diseases can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics only MASK symptoms, the birds are NEVER cured. They will remain carriers of whatever disease it is for LIFE and WILL infect other birds. Birds with viral respiratory diseases cant be treated with antibiotics. You've been warned and I hope that you rethink your decision. Good luck.

 

[CrystalLuvsHens]

I do appreciate everyones opinion. My work in the veterinary field for 8 years always gives me hope for successful treatment. I have saved more "hopeless cases" than I can recall. And seen miracles.

 

[CrystalLuvsHens]

My chickens are pets, not food, so I cant make other people sick and I certainly wont eat their eggs. Polish eggs are kind of useless due to their size.

 

[dawg53]

I do appreciate everyones opinion. My work in the veterinary field for 8 years always gives me hope for successful treatment. I have saved more "hopeless cases" than I can recall. And seen miracles.

Birds are different, not like cats and dogs and guinea pigs. Speaking of eggs, there are several respiratory diseases that can be passed through eggs that can infect a healthy flock; mycoplasma diseases come to mind. Also sick birds dont lay eggs.