keep getting ripped off!

[Berry Chechy]

When buying chickens what should I look for health wise. I just bought a silkie from a woman who was recommended by another breeder. She put the bird in my cage. So I pulled the chicken out to look her over. That was when the seller got visibly nervous - should have been my first clue. Her vent was swollen but otherwise clean, her feet were fine, eyes clear. Other than being bad tempered she seemed ok. When I get her home however, she is having watery diarrhea, she sleeps in the day and seems to pant, meaning when she breaths you can see her tail end raise up and down, laboured breathing. She just seems sick to me.

It looks like she has vent gleet and the seller knew that and washed her before I got there to pick her up. Doesn't anyone have any integrity??

As someone who is new to buying chickens and comparatively new to chicken illnesses, what should I be looking for in a good seller, and a healthy chicken?

I do a lot of research as a rule, but I still miss things. I'm pretty fed up with people's lack of honesty.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! I'm sorry about your Silkie being ill and hopw she gets better. You might want to post her symptoms on the Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures section of the forum at https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures
Even experience breeders can purchase a bird that turns out to have unseen health problems, but there are generally some signs you can look for. They include nervousness on the part of the seller (which you mentioned) or pushiness for a quick sale without a thorough examination of the bird, a pale comb and wattles, limping, discharge from the nostrils or/and eyes, wheezing, sneezing and/or coughing,
a hunched up appearance, lumps inside of the beak, a prominent keel bone, and mites or lice crawling on the feathers or skin, or other ill birds in the flock to which the bird in question belongs.
A healthy bird will have a nice red comb and wattles (your silkie would be an exception to this), shiny feathers, and good posture. The eyes will be clear with no discharge (apparently you were okay here). The bird will not be overly thin, the keel bone will not be prominent, and the bird will be well feathered as well. I hope your Silkie gets well and good luck with future purchases.

 

[Judy]

It's disappointing. You can use BYC to locate some sellers of chicks or hatching eggs who have a good history with their customers (via the feedback system, accessible in a seller's profile.) Or you may be able to find a breeder here with a good reputation who is nearb, but there are not a huge number of them. Unfortunately, it's very much buyer beware, even on BYC. Perhaps you can get the name of a good seller on your state thread.

Meanwhile, if you decide that there is respirator disease in your flock, you may actually want to cull, disinfect and start over.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-injuries-diseases-how-to-diagnose-treat-your-chickens

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ow-a-buggery-nose-on-my-roo/0_20#post_9778598 (post #9)

Good luck!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry you are having so much trouble. I would definitely stop by our emergency section for help with this bird if you are not sure how to treat this issue. Lots of excellent breeders here on BYC. You can check out our Buy Sell and Trade section and maybe find a good breeder nearby you...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/67/buy-sell-trade

You can also stop by your state thread and chat with your chicken neighbors and maybe they can help you out with some healthy birds....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you

Not every breeder is out there to rip you off. Most of them are very honest. But there is always a bad seed in every crowd. It is best to take someone along with you that knows what to look for in a bird. I am really sorry you are having so much trouble.

 

[Eepster]

That's sad. People should be more honest. I know when I have sold chickens I try to give as much information as possible to help the buyer. Oh and

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

So sorry for your trouble!! Two Crows has given you some great links.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about the problems you have been having with birds and sellers, you've gotten some good suggestions and links above. Here is also a check list that is good to go over when looking at a bird you want to buy http://www.communitychickens.com/9-...heck-up-diy-antiseptic-ointment/#.U1h5DqJW_bM

 

[Frindizzle]

from Washington! In our flock we have great people and it is always great to have a new member In our flock, we have no pecking order!

By the way, not saying that you will do anything bad, but no fowl play

I do not think you need my help, they all have good info.


Hopes she gets better!

 

[Berry Chechy]

Thank you everyone for your replies, the 9 point comb to toe check was exactly what I was looking for so that I can confidently examine any chicken I am buying in the future.