Introducing new peas to existing flock.

[autumnmfisher]

ok i tried searching the title and nothing answered my question.

So, We got two new peachicks. a pair of 4-5 month black shoulders. (i will take pictures - foggy yucky day here) we have three peachicks already about the same age. They are housed in the same house, but separated by a chicken wire wall from 10 rhode island red hens.

We put the new peachicks in a large dog cage with a cover (existing chicks were jumping on it and - you know pooping), inside the peachicks existing pen so they can see and interact with the new pair being protected. I put vitamins, wormer and antibiotics in the new pairs water. the existing peafowl and chickens get vitamins and antibiotics (already wormed) as a preventative measure of making the new or existing birds sick from new germs. we brought them home yesterday.

my question is - how long should we keep them separated? they seem very curious of each other and looks like they wouldn't fight. but i don't want any birds getting sick. if they're on preventative antibiotics shouldn't they all be fine? How long would you keep them separated? Thank you

 

[Frosty]

My personal opinion... I wouldn't have done preventative antibiotics. Different antibiotics work on different germs so there is no antibiotic that will kill everything, and none of them work on a virus (such as mycoplasma and Avian Influenza). I would have completely quarantined the new arrivals for at least 4 weeks.

 

[destinduck]

I agree with Frosty. You can add them now whenever you like.If the existing birds are already pooping and breathing distance. Hopefully they are all OK.

 

[autumnmfisher]

oops, guess I should have asked before bringing them home. to late now. guess i'll let them out tonight

i did antibiotics because of the chickens, to prevent blackhead.

 

[Frosty]

oops, guess I should have asked before bringing them home. to late now. guess i'll let them out tonight i did antibiotics because of the chickens, to prevent blackhead.

Which antibiotic are you using?

 

[autumnmfisher]

I'm using something that starts with M - metrosomethingate - i know it has a long name. had to special order it for the black head, no one had it around here.

I let them out last night and all was fine. Georgia pecked at the new Rooster a little, the new hen got in between and that was that. Checked this morning and everyone was roosting together fine. I'm keeping a very close eye on them tho. will check again as soon as i get home from work.

 

[Frosty]

So probably Metronidazole which is the proper antibiotic for blackhead... since you already started it I would give it for the full course. Stopping too soon is where drug resistant strains of bacteria come from.

Editing to add that you might want to check some pet stores for future reference, if they carry Fishzole, it's the same thing.

 

[casportpony]

I agree with frosty... But I also think that you should research histomoniasis (blackhead), get some Safeguard goat wormer (fenbendazole) and get your entire flock of chickens and peafowl on a good worming program. Your peachicks can get blackhead in other ways, too. You might also want to consult with an avian vet on the subject.

 

[autumnmfisher]

yup thats the stuff, and i did get fishzole also they are getting safeguard for goats wormer already, want to start them out good here the current flock (peas and chicks) have already been wormed, new ones are getting wormed and will then get into the normal routine.

thanks guys and i will get pictures, its to dark when i get home so i'm triing to get them in the morning