New Pullets Are Honking? **2nd UPDATE**

[SilkieChick00]

Ok, so I'm still a newbie to the whole chicken thing. I have 5 of my Hen's that I've raised since they were day olds. Yesterday I went and picked up 4 new Pullets that are already 3 months old. I have the new ones in the house so I could observe them for the next month. Today I noticed they are honking. It's like a cough type thing. It's not high pitched. I know at least 2 are doing it. It happens about every 30 seconds to 1 minute.

What's the next step for me? Do I call a vet and get some med's for them. Is there something that I can give them myself without seeing a vet? I don't have to cull them do I??

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[gumpsgirl]

First off, keep them away from your other chickens and practice good biosecurity so your others don't get sick. Second, it's important that you get diagnosis as to what your new birds have so you will know how to treat it. Are there anymore symptoms? Runny nose, swollen or bubbly eyes, ruffled feathers, runny poo, etc...

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

mine "quacked" when they were about that age.

No other signs of illness or distress. Just their voices changing.
They all sound more like chickens now than ducks.

 

[SilkieChick00]

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The poop looks ok (very stinky though). I just noticed that one of them has one of her eye's a little swelled up.... Now I'm even more worried!!!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Don't panic! They really might be okay and you might just be paranoid! They stinky poo could be coming from what they were being fed previously. I know that when I fed my chickens or even chicks the Dumor feed, their poo smelled awful! Just keep them away from your other chickens and practice good biosecurity. Keep an eye on them for any other obvious symptoms and report back tomorrow.

 

[MichiganWoods]

I'll be curious as to what you find. I've raised all of my babies either from a few days old, or I hatched them, and I have one (pullet, I think) that honks like a goose too. She's been doing it for about two weeks (so since age 7 weeks) and seems otherwise completely normal. I just took it as she had a different and rather funny voice. I'd like to know if it could be something more sinister.

 

[SilkieChick00]

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Thank you, your so sweet. I do get freaked out really easily! I'll keep an eye on them. Hopefully all will be well. I'm just so worried about having sick chickens!

 

[gumpsgirl]

They really are probably fine and I feel terrible for making you panic. Where they aren't showing any other symptoms (the eye you saw is most likely a fluke where you are worried), they are more than likely just fine! Just watch them.

 

[gumpsgirl]

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Now THAT I do understand! I spent my whole summer caring for a flock that got sick with Coryza and it was not fun. Now any time my chickens so much as sneeze, I freak out! LOL! Just keep a close eye on them and watch for any of the symptoms that I initially listed. If none of those pop up, then your chickens will be just fine.

 

[FractalFarmer]

What breeds are your "honkers"? Some of my birds honk pretty loudly. My silver laced wyandottes are the loudest, but my barred rocks are also developing a honking voice, after cheeping until they were almost 4 months old. My BO's and the light brahma are very quiet and have more of a soft cluck. Could be the breed?