Sickness in my flock?

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dcba flock

dcba flock

Songster
6 Years
Mar 3, 2013
505
37
126
Albany,NY
About 3 weeks ago I purchased 6 black sex link hens (all healthy) that are about 14-16 weeks old. Since their introduction to my flock of 12 (mix of black, reds and Americana) strange things have been happening! First, all but 2 of my original hens stopped laying. Now some have been acting odd! Kind of lethargic for a day or two then they seem to be back to normal. Now today when I went out one of my original hens is acting kind of tired/lethargic and her eyes are watery. I thought it was cocci so they are on antibiotics for that? But now I'm thinking it might be something else? Just stressing as I have 6 chicks inside and another 25 chicks scheduled to be delivered in April. I keep reading about disinfecting the coop well mine are free range in a very large horse barn and on multiple acres surrounding our farm. I would never be able to fully clean everything with a disinfectant. I just find it odd that they are sick a couple days then back to normal? Anyone have this occur or advice?
 
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Well it certainly is possible that the new hens brought along a strain of cocci that your other birds have not previously come in contact with and therefore have no immunity too. So it's fine to treat for that, just to be on the safe side if nothing else. By antibiotic's I am assuming you mean a coccidiostat such as Corid? Antibiotic's will do nothing for coccidiosis.

Were the new hens kept quarantined for 4 to 6 weeks before joining the others? Are there any other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, foamy eyes or rattling breathing sounds? You are right to be concerned because if the new birds have brought home a respiratory disease it's going to spread to all of them and they will also spread it to the new youngsters you have coming.

But at this point there's not much you can do other then watch and listen for symptoms, see if this progresses. The older birds having stopped laying may likely just be due to things being shaken up by the new arrivals. Once everybody settles in laying should return to normal.
 
cafarmgirl said:
Well it certainly is possible that the new hens brought along a strain of cocci that your other birds have not previously come in contact with and therefore have no immunity too.  So it's fine to treat for that, just to be on the safe side if nothing else.  By antibiotic's I am assuming you mean a coccidiostat such as Corid?  Antibiotic's will do nothing for coccidiosis.

Were the new hens kept quarantined for 4 to 6 weeks before joining the others?  Are there any other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, foamy eyes or rattling breathing sounds?  You are right to be concerned because if the new birds have brought home a respiratory disease it's going to spread to all of them and they will also spread it to the new youngsters you have coming.

But at this point there's not much you can do other then watch and listen for symptoms, see if this progresses.  The older birds having stopped laying may likely just be due to things being shaken up by the new arrivals.  Once everybody settles in laying should return to normal. 
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Yes I'm treating them for the possible cocci with what the vet gave me. I did keep the new youngsters separated for a period of time but I don't have a fully enclosed area so once they are able to hop out over the stall walls they are then with the others! I will not ever bring in older birds this is so stressful! Haha
 

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