Quarantine/Integrating *Stranger* Chickens

[Alecia Davidshofer]

Im starting to see why chickens eat chickens its just apart of the whole process of eating live animals. They dont care if they eat there friends as dinner.

 

[WILIFORD]

Some may not like this, but here is my take. I enjoy my chickens. I take care of them, they are probably spoiled to some degrees, as they have a great hen house and my flock of 14 hens free range on 1/2 acre. But, and here it is. They are livestock and that should be kept in mind. I have added birds to my flock a couple of times, without any sort of quarantine. I place them in the hen house with the flock at night, so they wake up together the next morning and then let them sort it out. I only intervene if the well being of one of the birds is in jeopardy. Chickens, like people need to be exposed to certain things to strengthen their immune system. Now saying that, I will not take, or purchase a chicken that looks to be anything less than, a healthy, productive chicken. I would not take an old chicken, or a chicken that looks or acts unhealthy. I will finish by saying, this is my opinion and my approach. However I have never lost a bird handling it this way. Again, they are livestock. If they appear to be healthy and you can verify they are productive, then take them.

 

[Double Yolked]

My non-expert take on rescued chickens.
The rooster in my profile picture started as a chick in my flock, was given to a neighbor who wanted him when I realized I couldn't keep a roo just then and rescued and brought back to my home almost a year later when I discovered he wasn't being well cared for.
He was Not a healthy bird when I brought him back.
He was starving, had a slight cough, was very short on feathers and limped badly.
I quarantined him for about 4 weeks. I was planning on more. The hens took matters into their own beaks.
I gave him lots of TLC and treated each problem as I could find a remedy. It took him about 2 weeks to get over the cough. Almost a month to gain enough weight to start looking like he was a real rooster and not a half-naked scarecrow.
His quarantine ended early when my hens flew over a supposedly tall enough gate, crossed about an 80 ft separation space and joined their new bo. They adore him, I've had no problems with their health and while he will always limp, you can see from his photo he's a big healthy happy boy with a harem that thinks he's the cat's meow.

 

[cottontail farm]

So, did you ever get your free mulch chickens? How are they doing?

 

[fawndane]

Hello, @Smuvers Farm

Okay, I just wouldn’t take them at all. I got chickens a couple of months ago that were supposedly laying and in ‘very good health.’

Hahaha, no. They gave my flock flipping MG, and now we have to cull our whole flock.

(Btw, if they’re two years old, they def have to be molting, so no eggs from them.)

Don’t do it.
~bluee

 

[Smuvers Farm]

So, did you ever get your free mulch chickens? How are they doing?

We did bring them all home. They are quarantined, with one who had had her entire butt feathered pulled and pecked at, was quarantined in a separate cage, but is right next to the other girls. They have a dust bath, fresh water, grazing and fermented feed daily. They have refluffed and feathered out beautifully. Even the one with the loss of butt feathers is regrowing and talkative.

I believe we made the right decision.

 

[lazy gardener]

I believe these chickens were used for trade for some mulch or something. The owner doesn't know what to do with them, so him or a worker set up 2 small coops... and separated the whites from the browns.....

An initial look, they don't look underfed or shifty or sketchy... but these guys don't have a clue as to how the hens need to be taken care of and they don't have room to breathe.

This post is hilarious. Me, I'd rather have the mulch.

Just quarantine them, get them tested for worms put the browns back with the whites and cross your fingers...and don't tell them they were traded for mulch that's just terrible.

To OP: Glad it worked out well for all concerned.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

We had an unwanted Roo tossed in our big yard not to long ago. (Who ever did it, thanks for nothing)
I woke up to massive Cockfight rumble. I have a flock of 12 boys who pack together and free range until freezer camp. The new introduction was getting tore up by my poultry gang. Took all day to try to catch him. Finally when the sun went down. I found him in a tree. I snatched him and stuck him in a hutch cage on the back end of our property in no man's land. Food & water of course.
Days later upon inspection... A beautiful adult bird but SCALEY LEG MITES! I freaked out and randomly caught my ranger boys and fine tooth combed them. Soaked all their legs in epsom salt and kept a close eye on their legs for days.
We completely globbed vasoline on the gift rooster for about a week. Placed an ad on Craigslist for a free Rooster and made callers aware of the situation. A guy came and picked him up for a soup batch.

Back to the O.P., if I introduce any bird to my flock, 99.9% of the time it is something I hatch. No bio hazard risks are worth jeopardizing the tranquility of the excellent heath condition your existing flock is in.
Rescue/free/donated or dumped over your fence line while you are sleeping. Really not worth it to us.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Back to the O.P., if I introduce any bird to my flock, 99.9% of the time it is something I hatch. No bio hazard risks are worth jeopardizing the tranquility of the excellent heath condition your existing flock is in.
Rescue/free/donated or dumped over your fence line while you are sleeping. Really not worth it to us.

I absolutely agree with you (and the others) who have posted this... and this will be the only time I take in a stray. Although they haven't caused any issues, and have cleaned up well with fresh food, water, treats and dust baths (see pictures), the risk outweighs any benefits. I'll call the humane society and make a report rather than take them in.

As I posted on Wednesday, I still do believe we made the right decision with this flock.

 

[Chickassan]

The browns and whites all together! They look so happy, you did good.

I absolutely agree with you (and the others) who have posted this... and this will be the only time I take in a stray. Although they haven't caused any issues, and have cleaned up well with fresh food, water, treats and dust baths (see pictures), the risk outweighs any benefits. I'll call the humane society and make a report rather than take them in.

As I posted on Wednesday, I still do believe we made the right decision with this flock. View attachment 1189051 View attachment 1189052