I moved states and acquired a new flock of baby chicks in late summer. I didn't want to wait till spring for eggs so I bought two 22 week old barred rock pullets that I immediately quarantined separate from all the youngsters. One showed respiratory symptoms on day 1, the occasional sneeze and gape, but mostly a raspy labored breathing during feeding or after running accompanied by a loud honk/squeek sound. Basically she sounds like a pug breathing but it's only audible during feeding or after exercise (me trying to catch her) and the gaping is infrequent or usually at night. She is eating and drinking regularly. The healthier of the two is now presenting with the same symptoms, after one month in quarantine together. I have given a single dose of a wormer that treats gapeworm (fenbendazole) and some VetRx and probiotics. The one who was the initial sick girl still has the same symptoms but comb has reddened up. But the other girl now has symptoms matching hers. They are now 26 weeks and have never laid an egg.
They are about 50 feet away from the large brooder/coop of my ten babies (9 weeks old) and on the opposite side of the yard and home. I have been kicking myself for bringing home two mature birds but now feel sort of invested in their well being. If I had already integrated them with my young flock there would be no question that I would continue to try treating them, because everyone would already be exposed if it's Mycoplasma or something similar. But since they have never joined my flock, and I have not been sharing tools and I have been diligent about showering and changing clothes between visiting the different birds, it's possible I haven't exposed my young flock yet. There were a couple occasions however when they broke out of their quarantine pen and went over and mingled with the babies through 1/2wire cloth. but that was about three weeks ago and babies are still healthy.
Should I just cull these two hens now who have never laid or left quarantine now before I keep risking the rest of my birds? Or is it more likely that it spread through the air anyway and try to acquire antibiotics or see if it gets better on its own.
From reading all the previous similar threads it seems there's no easy decision on these matters. But I just can't go to a vet after I spent $600 on a pullet a couple years ago for them to simply tell me she needs more calcium.
They are about 50 feet away from the large brooder/coop of my ten babies (9 weeks old) and on the opposite side of the yard and home. I have been kicking myself for bringing home two mature birds but now feel sort of invested in their well being. If I had already integrated them with my young flock there would be no question that I would continue to try treating them, because everyone would already be exposed if it's Mycoplasma or something similar. But since they have never joined my flock, and I have not been sharing tools and I have been diligent about showering and changing clothes between visiting the different birds, it's possible I haven't exposed my young flock yet. There were a couple occasions however when they broke out of their quarantine pen and went over and mingled with the babies through 1/2wire cloth. but that was about three weeks ago and babies are still healthy.
Should I just cull these two hens now who have never laid or left quarantine now before I keep risking the rest of my birds? Or is it more likely that it spread through the air anyway and try to acquire antibiotics or see if it gets better on its own.
From reading all the previous similar threads it seems there's no easy decision on these matters. But I just can't go to a vet after I spent $600 on a pullet a couple years ago for them to simply tell me she needs more calcium.
