What to look for health wise before purchasing chickens that the internet doesn't tell you?

[MamaPoult]

Hi all ! I am needing to add more chooks to the flock before winter so everybody stays warm. At the moment I have 13 and need 19. I do not have the option to quarantine the birds I buy which sucks. I am a bit gun shy mixing flocks because of a recent awful experience so I have to be sure to cover all my bases. I plan to buy birds from 1-2 years, all hens of course. I am currently researching common diseases and symptoms and plan to look the person whom I purchase from operation. But, is there anything that the internet doesn't tell you about that I should be looking for? I assume things like bumblefoot, poo, parasites ect.? I really appreciate any insight, thank you!

 

[AGeese]

Hi all ! I am needing to add more chooks to the flock before winter so everybody stays warm. At the moment I have 13 and need 19. I do not have the option to quarantine the birds I buy which sucks. I am a bit gun shy mixing flocks because of a recent awful experience so I have to be sure to cover all my bases. I plan to buy birds from 1-2 years, all hens of course. I am currently researching common diseases and symptoms and plan to look the person whom I purchase from operation. But, is there anything that the internet doesn't tell you about that I should be looking for? I assume things like bumblefoot, poo, parasites ect.? I really appreciate any insight, thank you!

Go with someone who's NPIP certified would be my advice considering your situation.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Look for overall healthy birds. Try for as local as possible so everybody would be exposed to the same pathogens.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you pick the birds you want at night, off the roost, so you csn check for mites? Rub the underside of the roost with a white paper towel, if it comes off red, you're mashing mites.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Can you pick the birds you want at night, off the roost, so you csn check for mites? Rub the underside of the roost with a white paper towel, if it comes off red, you're mashing mites.

Oops, got interrupted. Picking them at night also means you won't be stressing them by chasing them around in the heat, which can stress the birds and lead to losses due to heat stroke. They could be dead by the time you get them home and you don't want that.

 

[MamaPoult]

Alright! Thank you everybody for the advice!

 

[Loving my girls]

When I get hens off the internet it is difficult, always a bit lucky dip

I am lucky and have a second hand plastic child’s playhouse which I use as a quarantine.

Without a quarantine I would put a flea and mite killer between the wings.

My concern would be putting them amongst the flock instantly without an introduction.