Increasing my flock

[NCchickenlady]

I have two Cuckoo marans coming this weekend and spoke with the breeder and found that they have not been treated for worms or anything. My flock is healthy and happy and I wanted to make sure everyone stays that way including the new girls. so questions..Oh they are young pullets..

Do I just do a broad spectrum antibiotic to be safe what kind? if so for how long and when will I know its safe to add the new girls in?

This is a nice clean place they are coming from, how long before I would know if they have medical issues- worms, illness or anything else?

Should I dust everyone for mites to be on the safe side?

I don't like to medicate if I don't have to so I would rather do holistic stuff if I can so any ideas of what might be good would be great!
Its my understanding that some birds have been exposed to things and have immunity and others who have not been exposed can become sick if they have not, what might those things be?


Newbie here so any ideas/help very much ap

 

[ChickenToes]

The best thing to do is to keep them separate from the rest of your flock for 30 days. That way you can observe them to see if they have mites or worms or any other illnesses, and you don't have to worry about the rest of your flock becoming ill as well.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
You want to keep the new birds seperate from your flock for at least 2 weeks. There is no reason to medicate a bird that isn't sick

You are right in that the new birds may be carriers of something that your flock hasn't, or vice versa. The best way around that is keep the new birds seperate for 2 weeks then take one bird from your flock (a bird you can part with in the worse case) And put them together and keep a close eye on them for 2 more weeks. By doing that you can tell if either side is carrying anything that will effect the other.

Steve in NC

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Isolate them from your flock, dust them for mites and worm them. After they have been in quarantine for 4 weeks with no problems you can introduce them to your flock. Good luck!

 

[NCchickenlady]

Quote:
So sounds like if anything is there it would rear its ugly head in a 2 to 4 week period. That is helpful.


Thank you!