New silkies--should I worm just in case?

[alexisrambles]

I would nutri-drench them for a good week. No need to worm unless pretty sure they have them. We're they outside originally? Yes go by 30 days separated.

They were with about 30-40 other silkies (at least) in a coop. They were let out most evenings but other than that, not often. Nutri-drench is a good idea. I may ferment some feed too. They eat so delicately!

 

[pennyJo1960]

If their not use to fermented don't start yet keep changes to minimum for about 2 weeks going to enough getting them from what they where use to

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

They were with about 30-40 other silkies (at least) in a coop. They were let out most evenings but other than that, not often. Nutri-drench is a good idea. I may ferment some feed too. They eat so delicately!

Since they were outside, the panting is probably a combination of stress and them now being indoors (house heat) I had to bring one of my girls in and she eventually started panting from being indoors, took her back outside where she was comfortable and she stopped. I (sorta) regret taking in 3 younger silkies, were in coop with heat, I don't run heat to my coop. I have had them indoors since they got here and cannot acclimated them outside because of our obnoxious weather changes!

 

[aart]

And to my more experienced friends here--what's your routine for new chickens?

I don't bring in new birds, except for hatchery chicks on occasion.

But.....this is good guide to understanding quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[chickens really]

Hello. Unless your following a strict quarantine by changing your clothes, shoes etc. The chances of the birds transferring disease is extremely high. Your original flock has its own diseases that it immune to as do the Silkies. Hopefully they carry the samething.
As far as internal parasites go, it's not recommended to treat unless you see them or get a fecal done.
Separate pens before introducing for a few weeks so they can see each other helps. Depending on what other breeds you have they may never accept the Silkie birds.

 

[casportpony]

I do notice some gaping in them, but it may have been from stress and transport/full crops. They're around 8-10 weeks. My question is... do you think it's better to deworm them just in case? I'd hate to introduce worms into my currently clean flock.

Gapeworms are not common in chickens, so if you have several that are open mouth breathing, then the problem is more likely a respiratory infection of some type. I guess it's possible that several could have aspirated crop contents while being transported. When did the open mouth breathing start? If they started open mouth breathing after arrival, then I suspect they have a respiratory disease and in would suggest that you return them.

As for de-worming, I am one that always de-worms new birds, and I also treat all new birds for external parasites with a permethrin poultry dust or spray.

 

[alexisrambles]

Since they were outside, the panting is probably a combination of stress and them now being indoors (house heat) I had to bring one of my girls in and she eventually started panting from being indoors, took her back outside where she was comfortable and she stopped. I (sorta) regret taking in 3 younger silkies, were in coop with heat, I don't run heat to my coop. I have had them indoors since they got here and cannot acclimated them outside because of our obnoxious weather changes!

I suspect this is it. The panting has seriously subsided since then. No wheezing at all.
One is still gaping but I suspect that's more because she's a little pig that likes to gobble until her crop is completely stuffed.
I am worried about how they'll adjust to the temp later, but I figure I'll take that when I get to it lol.

I don't bring in new birds, except for hatchery chicks on occasion.

But.....this is good guide to understanding quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

Thanks for the article!

Hello. Unless your following a strict quarantine by changing your clothes, shoes etc. The chances of the birds transferring disease is extremely high. Your original flock has its own diseases that it immune to as do the Silkies. Hopefully they carry the samething.
As far as internal parasites go, it's not recommended to treat unless you see them or get a fecal done.
Separate pens before introducing for a few weeks so they can see each other helps. Depending on what other breeds you have they may never accept the Silkie birds.

I am following a pretty strict quarantine routine. I don't ever go outside to my current flock in the same shoes/clothes as I had on with the new chicks. I do sometimes come in and handle the new chicks with the same pants I had on for the outside set. I'll keep that in mind and be more careful. It hadn't occurred to me that contamination could happen from outside to inside tbh.

I am hoping they'll integrate after my 30 day quarantine, but if they don't, I have a set up for them separate from my current flock. I have heard that silkies are hard to integrate into a largefowl flock. My largefowl flock is a little rough too so... it's a strong possibility that they won't get along. There are some now that are pretty picked on. It may do me well to put some of the lower pecking-order hens in with the silkies later. My crested birds especially seem to be picked on.

Gapeworms are not common in chickens, so if you have several that are open mouth breathing, then the problem is more likely a respiratory infection of some type. I guess it's possible that several could have aspirated crop contents while being transported. When did the open mouth breathing start? If they started open mouth breathing after arrival, then I suspect they have a respiratory disease and in would suggest that you return them.

As for de-worming, I am one that always de-worms new birds, and I also treat all new birds for external parasites with a permethrin poultry dust or spray.

At least I'm not the only one! Their transport was pretty quick--a half an hour car ride. But it has really calmed down. I suspect it was stress. Despite their age they seem to really miss the momma hen too--I put in a brooder to calm them down and that's helped a bit. I may try a feather duster like I've seen some people use.

I'm glad to hear that gapeworms aren't common. I suppose maybe I've got a false idea of how common they are since I see it online!

 

[sourland]

Gapeworms are not common in chickens, so if you have several that are open mouth breathing, then the problem is more likely a respiratory infection of some type.

This is something that I have long wondered about. Are there geographic areas where it is more common.

 

[alexisrambles]

If their not use to fermented don't start yet keep changes to minimum for about 2 weeks going to enough getting them from what they where use to

Oh shoot you're right!! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[pennyJo1960]

That's fine your the one asking because they are your birds no worry